2080 Tremerton Drive
Kamloops, BC V2E 2S2
Telephone: (250) 374-4545 Fax: (250) 374-6272
JUNE, 2004
THE END IS NEAR!
We have come a long way since school started in early September at what feels like break neck speed. Our students have had many noteworthy successes and will have a great many memories to look back on in the coming years.
We started the year with an increase in the number of students and added a kindergarten class. Our mission to develop each child as a unique individual has been at the forefront of our efforts. Students have gone on many field trips throughout the year. They have gone skiing, skating, and visited local businesses. Our students have successfully entered competitions for Heritage Fairs, Battle of the Books, speech and Young Authors. We have encouraged our students to think of others by raising funds and writing letters. Our students raised money for the Terry Fox Foundation, the Food Bank, the SPCA, Hoops for Heart and helped raise money by participating in "Boogie the Bridge."
Students took part in many district sponsored sporting events. We had good representation for our cross-country run teams, volleyball and basketball teams, and track and field meets.
Students have had many visits by guest presenters. The Citizenship events leading up to singing for the Governor General are at the top of the list. Our cultural program has enriched us with a fast-paced blend of movement, music and text through Axis Theatre, introduced us to Canada’s rich national heritage with songs from Michael Mitchell and a highly-charged musical performance by the Vancouver Opera.
Parents have come to our aid frequently this year: working with students, helping with computers, coaching teams, lunch sales, fundraising activities, the family dance, Winter Carnival and the list goes on.... Our year would not have been the same without parent support.
These are only a few of the many exciting activities we have experienced this school year. The list would go on for pages if I were to write down everything students have been exposed to. Memories are important and it is essential that we stop and reminisce about the year’s activities so we can better appreciate the past year.
Sincerely
Bruce S. Florence, Principal
FUN DAY
Our annual Fun Day will be held on Friday, June 11th. Outdoor activities for all students will take place during the morning and afternoon. There will be a concession and hotdogs will be available through pre-orders. Order forms will be sent home on June 4th.
Because it can get very hot in the afternoon and we are cognizant of safety issues with the sun, some teachers may organize indoor activities for the afternoon. Teachers will let you know of individual plans.
PARENT ADVISORY MEETING
Our final Parent Advisory meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 9, at 1:00 p.m., in the Multi-Purpose Room.
LIBRARY BOOKS
Please check your home for any school team shirts, library books or textbooks. These need to be returned as soon as possible.
YEAR-END ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, June 29, has been set aside to recognize the many achievements of our students. The assembly will also have a brief kindergarten presentation of a flower to our grade 7’s moving on. The ceremonies should take about an hour and will commence at 10:30 a.m.
LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS
Tuesday, June 29, is the last day of school for students. We will be sending home the final report card of the year with students on this day. If you have any questions regarding your child’s report card you may contact your child’s teacher, who will be at school on Wednesday, June 30.
LAST DAY FOR TEACHERS
The teaching staff will be at school on Wednesday, June 30, doing last minute administration. If you have any questions for your child’s teacher this will be your last opportunity before school reopens in September.
FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
The new school year begins on Tuesday, September 7, 2004. Classes will start two hours later than the regular time (10:30 a.m.) and end two hours earlier than the regular schedule (12:20).
GOODBYE: We will be sorry to see the following staff leave McGowan Park Elementary School:
· Carol Ellingsen
· Allison in’t Veld
· Jody Johnston
· Christina Oakes
· Tom Powell
· Daniel Silverberg
· Leanne Vigna-Lawrence
DRESS CODE
We do have a dress code. The expectations are quite simple and reinforce our belief that school is the students' "place of work" and, as such, has certain requirements. Tops and bottoms must meet. Shorts should not be too short and tops should not be too revealing. We discourage spaghetti straps for the girls and ask that if they do wear tops with spaghetti straps that they have a short- sleeved jacket or similar top to wear over top. (The school is air-conditioned and is cool enough that skimpy clothing is not necessary.) Clothing should not have inappropriate language or pictures on them. In most instances if there is a problem we quietly ask students to correct it by, for example, putting on a gym t-shirt or turning an inappropriately decaled t-shirt inside out for the day.
SCHOOL PLANNING COUNCIL
This committee has completed its work and our plan has been presented to and accepted by the School Board. Thanks to Helen Bailey, Carol Jensen, Laurie Marchand, Meghan Wade and Gordon Cumming who were elected to the committee and worked to ensure the goals set for next year reflect the needs of the school. The goals are based on careful analysis of data from satisfactions surveys, Foundation Skills Assessment results and school achievement information. The goals for next year are:
1. To maintain the focus on a safe school for all students.
2. To improve student performance in writing.
Within those goals are specific directions and activities for attention.
ARE YOU MOVING?
We are beginning to work on setting up classes and instructional groups for next year. It really helps to know who is moving out of the area and whose children will not be attending McGowan Park in the future. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are leaving. Good luck to you in your new homes and schools.
HAVE A NICE BREAK
On behalf of the staff of McGowan Park Elementary School I would like to wish everyone a safe and restful summer.
STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM
Are you going to enter Grade 8 in September? Do you have trouble staying organized? Would you like to learn how to be a more successful student?
If so, then you should consider the Student Success Program. This is a new program at summer school. Students will spend three weeks learning how to:
· use their agenda to stay organized
· take notes
· answer chapter questions
· use effective learning strategies
A part of each day will be spent on increasing comprehension of written materials and reviewing some key math concepts needed in Grade 8.
This program is limited to just 12 students. Register by June 18, 2004 (registration forms available in the school office). Forms must be accompanied by the $100 registration fee, payable to the Kamloops Community Learning Centre.
When: July 5 - 23, 2004
8:00 am - 10:00 am
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Kamloops Community Learning Centre
PRO-ACTIVE SUMMER SCHOOL
School District #73 and the Kamloops Community YMCA are sponsoring this innovative summer school for students in Grades 4-7 from July 5th to 30th. At Stuart Wood Elementary, from 9:00 - 12:00, your child will be offered courses in drama, creative writing, art and technology taught by teachers from SD #73. 12:00 - 12:45 will be a supervised lunch time. At the Kamloops YMCA, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, your child will enjoy a variety of activities led by staff from the YMCA. Students will be responsible for bringing their own lunch and snacks. Cost is $400.00 per student. If you would like more information, please call Mr. Chris Rose, 573-7553. To register with payment, please call the Kamloops Community Learning Centre (554-3438) by June 11, 2004. There is a minimum of 20 students for the program and a maximum of 25.
WONDERFUL WORLD OF WILDLIFE SUMMER KIDS DAY CAMPS
Join in on the BC Wildlife Park's Wonderful World of Wildlife Summer Kids Day Camps. This year, camps run from July 19th to the 23rd, as well as from the 26th to the 30th. Camps are full days from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm for children ages 7-12. For more information, or to register, please contact the Camp Co-ordinator at 573-3242, ext. 227.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF KAMLOOPS SUMMER PROGRAMS
Weekly camps are offered from July 5th to August 20th for children ages 5-12 in a variety of specialty areas (e.g. Theatre & Culture, Sports, Science-terrific, Arts and Crafts, etc.). All camps start and finish at McArthur Island and run from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Contact the Boys and Girls Club for more information or check out the poster on the parent board across from the school office.
NEW INFORMATION FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Two new pamphlets have been made available by Mr. Tom Christensen, Minister of Education. Choosing a School in British Columbia: A Checklist for Parents and Developing More Choices Within the K-12 Public Education System were developed in collaboration with the British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils and the British Columbia School Trustees Association. Limited copies of these pamphlets are available in the school office.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUNE, 2004
SUNDAY / MONDAY / TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY / FRIDAY / SATURDAY1
/ 2
· Early Dismissal
· District 1500m
· "K" Orientation
· Weddell: to Big Little Science
· Renkema to Secwepemc Museum / 3
Claude Richmond in to speak to Mr. Silverberg's class / 4
District Track
Meet
/ 5
6 / 7
Mr. Cumming's
and Mrs. Isakson's classes at the Wild-life Park
Cookie Dough
arrives! / 8
Grades 1,2, and 3
students taking
part in the
WaterSmart Bike
Team presen-
tations / 9
EUREKA SCIENCE / 10 / 11
FUN DAY / 12
13 / 14 / 15 / 16
Mrs. Weddell's
class to Isobel
Lake; Mrs. Vigna-Lawrence's class to the Public Library.
EUREKA SCIENCE / 17 / 18
EUREKA SCIENCE
PIZZA DAY! / 19
20 / 21
MR. CUMMING'S
CLASS LEAVES ON THEIR TRIP TO
DRUMHELLER
FOR THE WEEK. / 22
Mrs. Fredin's class
to the Big Little
Science Centre / 23
Kindergarten Picnic at Prince Charles Park / 24
Ms. Oryschak's and Mr. Powell's
classes at Shuswap
Lake. / 25
Ms. O's & Mr. P's classes return
from Shuswap
Lake camping trip.
Ms. Newman's
class at Sorrento.
Mrs. Borden's
class "Splash
Party". / 26
27 / 28
Grade 7
Celebration Dinner
and Dance in the Gym.
Mrs. K-J's Pool
Party / 29
LAST DAY (1/2 DAY ONLY) FOR ALL STUDENTS -
Kindergarten classes attend
from 9:30 - noon. / 30
LAST DAY FOR STAFF / July 1