ALLISTON UNION PUBLIC SCHOOL

211 Church St. N.,

Alliston, Ontario, L9R 0G3

Phone 705-435-7391 / Safe Arrival Press 1

Greg Jacobs, Principal Jennifer Carrick, Vice Principal Len Dunkley, Vice Principal

JANUARY 2016, Issue #5

HONESTY – We behave in a sincere, trustworthy and truthful manner.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Happy New Year! Welcome back to Alliston Union and to what promises to be the continuation of agreat school year filled with positive learning opportunities for all students.

Every January, many of us make New Year’s Resolutions. Resolutions offer opportunities for improvement in whatever area of life we choose. We, at Alliston Union, are no exception. Please join us, as our partners, to work together toward student safety and achievement for all of our students. Please remember, we ask that these resolutions be met for your child/children related to their success at school.

  1. Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time everyday, prepared to learn i.e. homework completed, nutritious lunch & snacks, appropriate clothing and outerwear, fully rested.
  2. Please read with your child every day and talk about the story or book with your child.
  3. Please ensure that you and your child use the student/parent agenda on a daily basis for homework and communication purposes.
  4. Please walk your child to and from school and encourage older children to walk with friends.
  5. Please familiarize yourself with our character traits and discuss examples of good character with your child.
  6. Please follow all of our safety procedures with your child as outlined in previous newsletters. Together we can make a difference in your child’s success at school.

Thank you for your assistance.

Greg Jacobs

Principal

Wrestling Club @ AUPS

Beginning in January, 2016 students in grades 5 and 6 will be invited to attend an information meeting about this year’s AUPS Wrestling Club. This opportunity is open to both male and female students. Practice Lessons will follow skills developed by the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association. The goal of the club is to foster fitness, teamwork and present introductory wrestling skills to youth. Practice times will run after school in the gymnasium from 2:50 to 4:15pm (each Wednesday and every other Thursday commencing January 13 and 14th). There will be an information meeting on Tuesday, January 5th at 10:30 in room 118 for interested students.

French Immersion and Extended French info nights and registration info
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) offers French Immersion (FI) and Extended French as a Second Language (EFSL) at select schools throughout the county. FI begins in Grade 1 and EFSL begins in Grade 5. These programs give students a bilingual education and the opportunity to become fluent in another language.

Information sessions will be held January 12th at 6:00 pm at Alliston Union Public School for parents of Senior Kindergarten and Grade 4 students. A letter was sent home to those parents with more details. Information session dates will be posted at under Programs, French as a Second Language.

To apply for these programs, you must complete the online application form in January at under Programs, French as a Second Language. The FI application form will be available from 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 18, until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016. The EFSL application form will be available from 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, until 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016.

While every effort will be made to accommodate all FI applications, available space and staffing will determine how many students can be registered in the program. Applications will be processed in the order they are received electronically.

EFSL is an open access program. This means that any student starting Grade 5 in September 2016 will be eligible for the EFSL program, and all online applications will be processed. It is important to note that January 2016 is the last time students can register for the EFSL program in the SCDSB, as the EFSL program is being phased out. Parents who do not have Internet access at home, or who require other assistance accessing the online application, should contact the school.

Scholastic French Book Fair Coming to AUPS!

Ms. Longthorne will be hosting our second book fair of the school year next week. This will be a French book fair only. There will be no English books available for purchase.

Tuesday, January 12-8:30a.m-2:50p.m (Browsing)

Wednesday, January 13-8:30a.m-2:50p.m (Purchasing)

Thursday, January 14-8:30a.m-11:40a.m. (Purchasing)

Ms.Longthorne will also have the book fair open on Tuesday, January 12 from 5:30p.m to 8:00p.m for students to visit with their families.

Thanks in advance for your support!

High School information nights coming soon to a high school near you
Is your child starting Grade 9 next year? High school information nights happen in January and February! January 21st at 7:00 pm held at Alliston Union Public School – parent information evening, and then on February 10th an Open House at Banting Memorial High School beginning at 7:oo pm. Information nights give an overview of what’s new and what to expect, and are a chance to ask questions.

High school is an exciting time—there are so many programs, clubs and activities for students to try. Attend an information night to find out what’s offered at your local high school. See the info night schedule and more information on the SCDSB’s website at

Kindergarten Registration starts January 25
Do you or someone you know have a child who was born in 2012? If so, it’s almost time to register them for Kindergarten in the SCDSB! Beginning on January 25, 2016, Simcoe County’s public schools will be registering children for Kindergarten for the 2016-2017 school year. Required registration documents include birthdate documentation, proof of address and record of immunization. For more information, visit

AUPS supports the Lion’s Club Food Drive!

Thank you to our school community for supporting our school’s food drive prior to the Holiday Season. Our goal was to collect one item per person at our school. We raised a total of 998 items (non-perishable food items and toys) that were picked up from our school on Dec. 17th. Well done AUPS!

A Sincere Thank You to the Local Alliston Lions Club!

AUPS would like to thank the Alliston Lions Club for their generous ongoing financial contribution forwarded to our school community. We are pleased to be connected to and supported by this community outreach program.

Spirit Wear Clothing – Expect it…Do it…Be it!

A sincere thank you to all of our volunteers who organized and facilitated our Spirit Wear clothing event. Our spirit wear directly relates the seven house colors that each member of our school belongs to. This clothing will be worn at assembly event and for physical education. Thank you to our parents for supporting this endeavor.

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

The next School Council meeting will take place on Monday, January 11th at 6:00 pm. Please join us!

Engineering Event – Designing and Building Competition for students in Grades 6-8!

Students at AUPS who are interested in wood working / engineering projects are invited to attend an information meeting on Wednesday, January 6th at 10:30 in room 118. This initiative is in support of our hands-on technology linked to science, engineering and wood working. Students at AUPS and across Simcoe County will be invited to compete / participate in NEM - National Engineering Month held at Eastview Secondary School in Barrie on Saturday, March 5th, 2016. The event is organized jointly by the Georgian Bay Chapter of Ontario Association of Certified Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) and the Simcoe-Muskoka Chapter of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), under the umbrella of the National Engineering Month organization. The 2016 activities will include: Competitions in Bridge building, catapult, water bottle car (new event); as well as a quiz on the knowledge of the engineering profession, demonstrations of 3D printer and water treatment plant. Information about this event can be found on the SCDSB Social Media / Website.

SAFE ARRIVAL on BUS CANCELLATION DAYS

Please be advised that on inclement weather days when school bus transportation is cancelled that safe arrival practices will not be conducted. We appreciate parent phone calls regarding those students who do not have bussing privileges(“walkers”) and have elected to stay home for the day.

SAFE WINTER PLAY

The snow is here and all children enjoy playing in the snow during the winter months. As well as being fun, playing in the snow can be filled with invigorating exercise. While we encourage students to enjoy snow activities we also need to ensure that students are playing safely in the snow. Therefore the following rules are in place for all students K-8, while playing outside during the winter months.

  1. Students may slide down snowbanks, if determined to be safe, but as with all activities there are no hands on, and pushing, shoving and piling on top of each other is prohibited.
  2. Students may slide on ice patches, if determined to be safe, one at a time on their tummies, bottoms or knees only. They may not slide on their feet. Students may not pile on top of each other when sliding on the ice patches.
  3. Teachers will monitor student co-operation with these rules while on duty.

Top 10 BUS SAFETY RULES

  1. Always be on time for the bus.
  2. Do not push or shove.
  3. Find a seat & sit quietly.
  4. Always talk quietly.
  5. Always remain in your seat.
  6. Never eat or drink on the bus.
  7. Know and recognize your school.
  8. Know and recognize your bus stop.
  9. Always hold on to the handrail when boarding & departing the bus.
  10. Know the danger zones around the bus.

Know The Danger Zones

  • Every child must know the DANGER ZONES around the school bus.
  • Children should never enter the DANGER ZONE unless the driver has given them permission.
  • If a child can touch the bus, he or she is too close.
  • If a child must cross the street, know all the rules to cross safely:

-Be sure you can see the driver & that the driver sees you.

-Watch for the driver’s signal that it is safe to cross.

-Stop when you reach the edge of the bus.

-Look & listen both ways to be sure it is safe before you cross.

■The 10 Giant Step rule is a good measurement for children to identify the DANGER ZONE around the school bus, particularly when crossing in front of the bus. Children should take 10 giant steps away from the bus and 10 giant steps past the front of the bus if they need to cross the roadway.

PARKING & DROP-OFF PROCEDURES

Please plan your day with your child before school entry regarding pick-up, appointments etc. so that your child is well aware of these arrangements before leaving for school. Please make a note of these arrangements in your child’s agenda for the teacher.

  1. Please check in and sign in at the office each time you enter the school. Do not proceed directly down the hallway or upstairs. If you will be staying with us for a while you are required to wear a visitor tag while in the school.
  2. Please do not drive, park or walk in our bus pick-up or drop-off zones between the times of 8:00-8:30 am and 2:30-3:00pm.

We encourage our walking students to walk and our bussing students to be bussed. (There are 20 parking spots in the park adjacent to the school’s parking lot.)

On bus cancellation days, we will leave the front driveway accessible for dropping off and picking students up.

Free International Languages program starting in January, limited spaces available
Would your child like to learn a new language or maintain their native language? The International Languages program is open to any student in Grades 1 to 8. Classes run Saturday mornings from 9 to 11:30 a.m. There is currently space in the following classes: Spanish in Bradford; Beginner Mandarin, German, Spanish and Greek in Barrie. In-person registration at Barrie and Bradford Learning Centres takes place on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 9 a.m. Registration will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis as there are limited spaces available. For more information, visit

English as a Second Language – Register now for winter sessions
Do you or someone you know want to improve your English language skills? The SCDSB Learning Centres can help. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults are offered at the Barrie and Bradford Learning Centres, and at the Allison Learning Centre (pending enrolment numbers). Please visit or call for more information: Barrie 705-725-8360, Bradford: 905-775-4432 or Alliston: 705-435-7778.

Message from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: Blast off with breakfast!
Eating breakfast is one of the surest ways to get your family off to a positive start to their day. Both researchers and educators think breakfast is both important and necessary to support the learning potential of children.

Breakfast does not have to be complicated – here are some quick breakfast fixes:

•Whole wheat tortilla wrap with cheese and salsa

•Rice cakes, cheese sticks and canned peaches

•Smoothie shake made with fruit, yogurt and milk

•Cereal trail mix, banana and yogurt

•Whole wheat pita spread with light cream cheese and wrapped around a banana

With these breakfast ideas the whole family will rise, shine and save time! For more information, you can call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-5720 and speak with a public health nurse or visit the health unit’s website at

Message from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: What’s the deal on sleep?
Getting enough sleep is a big deal for children. Sleep is important for normal brain development, physical growth and development and emotional control. Children 3 to 12 years of age should get 10 to 12 hours of quality sleep.

A lack of sleep can lead to:

•Behavioural problems, hyperactivity, poor memory and attention

•Irritability, frustration and even aggression

•Weight gain due to an increased appetite.

Here are some tips to help develop healthy sleeping habits:

•Set up a consistent bedtime routine

•Limit screen time (i.e. TV, laptops, iPod) or collect devices before bedtime

•If your child has difficulties staying asleep, speak with your healthcare provider.

For more information visit:

Ontario Early Years Centre

Are you home with little people and looking for something fun to do? Drop by the Ontario Early Years Centre in Alliston! The OEYC is a free service for all adults with children 0 to 6 years of age. Adults and children participate in activities together. Children have the opportunity to play with other children and participate in many different types of programs and activities, which promote early learning and school readiness, and they are FUN for children and adults alike.

Do you have a child starting school in 2016? Participating in activities at the OEYC is a great way to help prepare your child for this exciting transition. OEYC staff have resources for kindergarten preparation. Just drop by and ask!

Check out our website, www1.e3.ca or call 705 435-4308 for hours, directions and more information.

Do you live in any of the north Alliston subdivisions? Calling all adults home with pre-school children! Marie from the Ontario Early Years Centre is facilitating an early learning program for children 0 to 6 years of age accompanied by an adult, which will include literacy and sensory experiences, songs, crafts and more, at Alliston Union Public School. Fun, early learning for children!

Tuesday January 5th – 8:30 am

Wednesday January 20th – 8:30 am

Recognize a STAR at your school!
Our employee recognition program, SCDSB STARS, provides the opportunity for members of the school community to nominate an outstanding SCDSB teacher, custodian, educational assistant, early childhood educator, administrator, office staff person, etc. who has done something wonderful to support students in our system.Nominees will be informed of the nomination and the staff person will receive a personalized thank you and commemorative lapel pin from our Director of Education. It’s just one way to recognize the shining stars in our education system who make a difference every day in our schools, facilities and classrooms. Nominate an outstanding staff person by visiting clicking on ‘Staff’, then ‘SCDSB Stars.’

Provide input on proposed 2016-2017 school year calendar
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) invites public school communities to submit input regarding the proposed school year calendar for next school year (Sept. 2016 to June 2017). Input can be provided by visiting then clicking the link on the ‘School Year Calendars’ page under the ‘Schools’ menu. All stakeholders including staff, school council members, parents/guardians, students and members of the school community are invited to provide input. Feedback is invited until Jan. 15, 2016 to ensure the SCDSB meets school year calendar development timelines set by the Ministry of Education.