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November/December 2014

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Since our last newsletter went home we have had many more exciting events take place. I would like to thank the wonderful staff at Baden for their hard work both in the classroom and with activities they provide to our students outside of the classroom. We also thank the parents and students who go above and beyond to make our school a great place to be. This is the season for giving, and our students have done so generously, supporting many charities this year already: The Terry Fox Run, The Food Bank, Unicef donations, “Movember” initiatives, and the Christmas Angel Tree, to name a few. Stay tuned for more information about the ME to WE Angel tree.

We also have a Seasonal school concert coming up on December 11th during the day, and an evening concert, also that night. This concert will feature our Primary, Junior and Intermediate choirs and our Bands. The students will be participating in a dress rehearsal on December 11th at 11:15 in the gym, with the evening performance at 6:15 p.m. Kindergarten students will have a seasonal concert on December 10th at 8:45 a.m. We are so proud.

We thank our Intermediate student leaders in the school for always stepping up to help MC, setting up technology, or setting up for assemblies. Our Remembrance assemblies were so meaningful. These students have also planned successful Spirit days; for example, our “Baden Colour Day”. We also have a school focus of our Baden Belief about Caring. We continue with whole school assemblies focusing on the Board’s focus of our Character Attributes and our Baden Belief.

In addition, we also have an ECO Team working hard at recycling and composting. It’s so important that we actively model ways in which to help sustain our environment, and this is another

way to do that. We also thank all of the junior

students who are volunteering their nutrition break time as lunch helpers to support our

Primary students and model what great Baden citizens look like!

Teachers at Baden continue to work collaboratively to enhance and support student achievement. Same grade teachers administer common assessments, mark the assessments together, moderate student work and plan together to provide precise and powerful next steps, so that all students can move forward (plan, act, assess, reflect). This collaborative effort also ensures excellent programming and consistent assessment and evaluation. There are many teachers taking part in professional development with other schools and the Board to talk about student learning!

We have many wonderful volunteers at Baden. We appreciate your help in the office, in our Home Reading programs, in Strong Start, on School Council and in our classrooms. We couldn’t do it without you!

On behalf of all of us at Baden Public School, we wish you a happy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Nancy Woodhall

Principal

Important Dates

Dec. 1 HPV #2 shots (gr. 8 girls).

Dec. 1 Gr. 8 trip parent info night-6:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 Mad Science ends

Dec. 10 Kindergarten Seasonal concert

Dec. 11 Seasonal Concert 6:15 pm

Dec. 19 Mistletoe Dance- Gr. 6-8

Dec. 19 Christmas Assembly/sing along

Dec. 20- Jan. 4 Winter holidays

Jan. 5 First day back to school

LIBRARY NEWS

Baden P.S. is registered with the Ontario Library Association to take part in the Silver Birch, Red Maple and Blue Spruce reading programs for 2014-2015. The Silver Birch and Red Maple program will begin in December, giving participating students a chance to read quality Canadian literature. Red Maple is for the Intermediate students. Blue Spruce will start in January.

Our primary students will take part in the Blue Spruce program by listening to ten recently published Canadian children’s picture books. These nominated stories are sure to become favourites among our students.

A “Big Thank You” to everyone who came to our Scholastic Book Fair. We had a fantastic turn out this year. Many thanks to our volunteers! You are all great, and this could not happen without you! Thanks also to our library clerk, Sherry Ulmer who provided this wonderful opportunity for us.

SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURES

This is a reminder that in the event of a severe storm it is possible that school would be cancelled. Please listen to local radio stations (Oldies 1090, Kool FM- 105.3, Dave FM- 107.5, CHYM FM- 96.7, or the internet) for such news. If busses are cancelled for the day, Baden school will remain open due to the fact that many of our students can walk to school. If your child is a bussed student, we ask that you still call the attendance line to confirm your child’s absence, as part of our Safe Schools protocol.

SCHOOL CLOSURES:

School dismissal will be at regular dismissal times unless the Board announces that there will be an early closure. School Closures during the day will be announced on the local radio stations. During severe weather conditions, parents have the option of picking up their children early. Be sure to review your instructions with your children so that they know what to do in the event of severe weather. We respectfully ask that you refrain from phoning the school as we have limited phone lines available.

Always check the Board website for information and also our Baden Twitter for updates.

Reminder: Please call the attendance line when your child is away! The attendance line is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

519-570-8056 ext: 3925#

WINTER USE OF PLAY STRUCTURES

As the ground freezes around Ontario, the resilient ground cover that the Board installed to comply with the CSA standards will no longer provide the protection required by CSA Standard to prevent head injuries. Under these circumstances, it is foreseeable that falling onto hard frozen ground from the top of a slide or from monkey bars could injure a child. Play structures will be off limits to students when the ground is frozen.

SCHOOL COUNCIL REPORT

Due to the generosity of our Baden Families during the Baden BBQ and this year's fall fundraising, we have been able to purchase the following items from monies raised: Planners, musical instrument repairs, language resources, technology (chrome books, data projectors, and document cameras), Synrevoice communication, class trips, Kindergarten book bags, headphones and a chess program. Thanks again for supporting the school!

Many thanks to our wonderful fundraising committee, headed by Amber Porchak. We just finished a fundraiser of sales of Treasure books and QSP magazines. Our final fundraiser for 2014-2015 is our exciting annual event- the Baden BBQ which will take place in the spring. If you can help with the BBQ in any way, please let the school know. Stay tuned.

We also had a wonderful and informative Reading night (thanks Amber Porchak and Angela Collins for taking the lead) on November 12th. It was well attended and students had the opportunity to teach their parents about how we learn and read at Baden!

Meeting dates for School Council for the remainder of the year are:

January 20, February 17, April 21, May 19 and June 16.

Everyone is welcome to attend any or all meetings.

Baden School Council

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION!!!

Please be sure to tell your friends and family that Kindergarten Registration for 2015-2016 will be taking place in WRDSB schools between February 3-6. (Baden Registration will be Feb. 4th and 5th). Please stay tuned for more information. Kindergarten classes are All Day Everyday. Information will be available for parents during Kindergarten registration in February and at our Kindergarten school information night in the spring. Please call the office in the New Year to make an appointment to come in for the February registration.

Calling All 3 year Olds (and their families):

Feu-Follets pour UNICEF!

Twenty-six creative Jack-o-Lanterns lined the front hall of Baden School during the last week of October. Grade 1 and 1/2 students were invited to work with their families to design an entry for our annual UNICEF pumpkin contest. Our 2014 entries included Olaf, who greeted you as you entered the office, two pirate mates, a robot, a black cat and many more cool entries. We love to see the imagination and creativity that our Baden Bulldogs demonstrate each year. All students were encouraged to vote for their favourite entries by dropping spare change into a UNICEF container. Together, Baden Bulldogs raised $336.50 for UNICEF this year, which was up from last year! BRAVO, les amis! Kids helping kids can make a difference in our world! Thanks Mdlle Einwechter for organizing this service learning project.

Submitted by Mdlle Einwechter

PLEASE HELP - WAIT OUTSIDE

Due to Safety issues and the heavy volume in our hallways in the mornings and after school, we are requesting that all parents drop off their children outside and/or wait outside with them until the bell rings. It is important for all of our students to follow the established expectations and also build independence by coming in with their classroom line. Please also have your child go home after school. This is for their safety as we are not responsible for supervision on the playground after school hours. We are asking that parents help us with this request. Thanks for your understanding.

All visitors in our school are asked to sign-in at the office and are asked to wear visitor identification. Our staff have been asked to approach all adults without identification and direct them to our school office. In the interest of maintaining a safe environment for our students, we ask for your cooperation with this policy.

Thank you to those that are already doing this.

BUS/PARKING LOT SAFETY

Keeping students safe on the bus is a priority for both Baden School and the bus companies that provide transportation service. We have had an increase in bus safety issues over the last month and have taken the time to remind all bus riders of their responsibilities as passengers (bus/evacuation training). We encourage safety for our students thus they need to stay seated and to use quiet, indoor voices on the bus. Parents are asked to review bus safety issues with students so that we can work together to ensure safe arrival for all children in our care!

SAFE DRIVING

We thank those parents who are driving slowly and safely in our school safety and drop off zones. This is a reminder, the parking lot is a NO DROP OFF zone (exception is daycare drop-off). By-Law officers will continue to monitor our streets and parking areas to ensure safety for our students. Thanks to our wonderful Parking Lot attendant for helping us with SAFETY.

CURRICULUM CORNER

For parents in the know!

Math- How can we improve motivation, interest and attention in the elementary Math class?

Research indicates that we all need to build positive “Mathitudes” to improve student achievement in Math.

Research tells us:

- Negative attitudes wield significant and adverse influence on students’ motivation and ability to learn and do math.

- It is never too early to nurture the growth of a positive disposition towards math, and improve the relationship that children have with math content and processes

- Teachers can improve student achievement by turning their attention to resources and strategies that pique students’ motivation, emotion, interest and attention.

The Power of Math Play

- Learning often begins with play

- Experiential learning activities in informal contexts, actual or virtual are designed so that when children play, engage, explore, or interact, they cannot help but learn science and math because they are doing it.

- Initial curiosity in math has the potential to evolve into genuine interest. This can be called the “wow” factor that captures a child’s attention and likely contributes to the development of understanding and positive attitudes……

(Article from Student Achievement Division- What works? Research into Practice)

Check out:

Mathemagic: Number Tricks

canada/Mathemagic-P5941.aspx

The Prime Radicals Shows:

shows/primeradicals

The Prime Radicals Games:

games/primerdicals

The Prime Radicals Pentomino App:



So now you know! ☺

Seasonal Concert

Our Primary, Junior and Intermediate Choirs, along with Intermediate Band, have been busy preparing for Baden`s Seasonal Concert! There are so many students involved - way to go Bulldogs! We will be celebrating the season through musical selections from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Please come celebrate with us, as you will enjoy some familiar tunes as well as new ones! Our Seasonal Concert will be Thursday, December 11th in the Baden gym starting at 6:15 pm. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Mrs. McKellar and Mrs. Sunga

WWW.WRDSB.CA

Web based registration for Partial French Immersion!

All parents/guardians of Senior Kindergarten children interested in Grade One of the Partial French Immersion Program 2015 must complete a registration form. Registration for Grade 1 French Immersion will begin on Thursday, January 8, 2015 through Saturday, January 31, 2015 on the WRDSB website at . Grade 1 FI classes will be generated using a lottery system once registration closes. Registrants who have a sibling registered in the FI program will be given preference until Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. Registrants who live within the geographical boundary of the school, and have been registered prior to Jan. 31st will be placed next. Any registrations received after Jan. 31, will be placed in available classes or on a waiting list. Information flyers will be sent out also.

Any questions? Call the Learning Services secretary at 519-570-0003 extension 4267.

KIDS’ HELP PHONE LINE HAS ACTIVITIES, GAMES AND INFORMATION FOR KIDS IN NEED OF HELP.

WEBSITE: WWW.KIDSHELPHONE.CA

REMEMBRANCE DAY

On Tuesday November 11th, the Baden staff and students held Remembrance Day Assemblies, which allowed students to remember people and events by involving themselves in quiet thought and serious reflection. The combination of readings, music, poems, video footage, and “planting” 800 poppies on our front lawn, engaged students in understanding the high price that was paid for the freedom we enjoy today. We thank Mrs. King, Ms. Fritsch, Mrs. Sunga, Ms. Shantz and Mrs. McKellar as the planning committee.

Thanks also to those teachers that were involved and for those who helped with set up and technology!!

We Day

The Me to We team is a group of students who have expressed interest in making a change in the world. They have a passion and understanding that change can start with just one person.

Baden Public School's Me to We Team of 16, went to this year’s We Day on November 20th. We had the opportunity to listen to very inspirational speakers like; Craig and Marc Kielburger - the co-founders of Free the Children and Me to We. Some of the great things our team has done for our community include: We Scare Hunger Food Drive, we raised 1463 lbs of food for the Waterloo Region Food Bank and the Wilmot Resource Center

Locally, we will be having another Angel tree like we did last year. Classes will choose an angel from the tree in our front foyer which will indicate the gender and age of a child in our community. The class will purchase a gift for that child to be included with the Wilmot Family Resource Centre Christmas hampers. Gifts need to be at school by December 12th. They are not to be wrapped but may be in a gift bag with tissue for the child’s parent to wrap with once they see the gift. Games, books and craft materials are preferred by WFRC.

As we approach the Christmas season, we are inspired by a past We Day speaker Liz Murray’s words. She reminded us to “don’t focus on what you don’t have; focus on what you do have.” We’d like to take that one step further and share what we have with others. Please join us in making a difference in Wilmot and in our world.

GRADE 8 to 9 TRANSITION DATES

Excitingly, Mrs. King, grade 8 students and their parents are about to begin the transition to secondary school. More detailed information to follow. This is a heads up on the dates that have been set for this year's information evenings.

Baden's High School Information Evening:

January 7th, 2014 6:45 p.m.

Grade 8 High School Parent & Student Information Evenings:

Baden Students' Home School: Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School - Wednesday, January 14th 2015 6:45 pm

Students may wish to explore the Waterloo Region District School Board's Magnet Programs:

Cameron Heights International Baccalaureate Programme - Tuesday, November 25th 2014 7:00 pm

Eastwood Integrated Arts Program - Thursday, December 4th 2014 at 6:00 pm

Waterloo Collegiate Institute Strings Program - Thursday, November 18, 2014 at 7:00 pm

Sir John A. MacDonald Fast Forward Program - Wednesday, December 10th 2014 at 6:45 pm

Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate Institute French Immersion Program - Tuesday, January 6th 2015 at 7:00 pm

If you have further questions prior to receiving more detailed information, please contact Mrs. King by phone at (519) 634-9320 ext. 209 or by e-mail at margo_mckeeking@wrdsb.on.ca

Strong Start at Baden

The letters, sounds and words program is now in full operation. Our school is fortunate to have this program available to help children aged 5 to 7 learn the names or sounds of letters, recognize commonly used words or how to blend sounds together to form words. This program is available through the generous donation of time that a group of dedicated volunteers provide. The program is 10 weeks where volunteers work one on one with students for 30 minutes each week. We currently have 4 volunteers working with 4 children. We appreciate the continued support. The volunteers have also participated in four hours of training prior to volunteering with a child. If you are interested in this meaningful volunteer opportunity more information is available at strongstart.ca. Please contact Connie Finn, who coordinates this program at our school if you would like to volunteer in the spring! Thanks Connie!!

Movember[pic]

With Mrs. McDowell’s leadership and the hard work of 7Awesome, Baden’s Movember campaign has had a great month raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer research as well as the Leukemia Society of Canada. “MoMen”, the hand decorated gingerbread men with an icing moustache, went on sale on November 19th to great fanfare! On November 28, students will be able to purchase fuzzy, stick-on moustaches for $1. Students will also have the chance to vote on which teacher has grown the best “Mo” for the month. The race is between Mr. Roth, Mr. Shonk, Mr. Becker and the reigning Moustache Cup winner, Mr. McBeth. If you would like to make a small donation to this worthy cause, please search for “Hairy Bulldogs” at the official Canadian Movember Website (ca.) and then click on the Donate button. The final cheque presentation and awarding of the 2014 Moustache Cup will take place during our January Assembly. Big thanks go out to the Baden community for supporting our team!

Ski and Snowboard Club

We are excited to once again offer a Ski and Snowboard Club at Baden. It’s a great opportunity for students in grade 5-8 to get some exercise, hang out with friends and get some much needed fresh winter air. Students of all abilities, beginner to advanced, are welcome to join. The program will take place on four consecutive Mondays starting on January 12th, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Parents are asked to drop students off at the Chicopee hill at 3:45 and pick them up at 7:00. The cost for the four week program and additional details, will be sent home to families the beginning of December.

Athletics

The gym is a busy place at Baden School. Our Intermediate boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams

are in “full swing.” They have been showing exemplary team spirit and sportsmanship while playing other schools in our area. A special thank-you to the coaches for volunteering their time to coach the teams and for attending the volleyball outing.

Students in kindergarten to grade 8 have been getting active by participating in a variety of intramurals at nutrition break. We appreciate the time and effort our Athletic Council members put into organizing these fun activities.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!

THE BADEN STAFF

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