Newsletter is now online at http://www.psd70.ab.ca/schools/ParklandVillage/Pages/Default.aspx

Parkland Village School — May, 2015

Parkland Village School MicroSociety Parent Information Sessions Where the World Opens Up We are excited to be hosting two MicroSociety community information sessions on May 5 at 6:30 pm and May 6 at 4:00 pm. These sessions will provide an opportunity to share our vision, to have conversation, answer questions and to get feedback/input from parents and community members. We are hoping that all parents with students at our school will be able to attend one of these two dates. Visit our school blog at bit.ly/pvsmicrosocietypost to view a video with more information about these nights. Also, to help us with our preparation for these two nights, please RSVP by visiting bit.ly/pvsmicrosociety. You can also call the school at 780-962-8121 or email: [email protected] to RSVP. MicroSociety Overview Continuing our work with Alberta Education’s Cross-Curricular Competencies, Inspiring Education and authentic learning, Parkland Village School is exploring providing students with learning opportunities through MicroSociety. MicroSociety replicates Canadian Society. Every student actively participates in MicroSociety in authentic, meaningful ways. This is accomplished as each student takes a role in our society through elected government, government services (police, postal, employment office, etc.), private enterprise or non-governmental organizations. The purpose of providing students with MicroSociety learning experiences is to ensure student driven, engaging, and authentic, personalized learning opportunities for all students. This approach to learning will continue to build an entrepreneurial spirit, ethical citizenship, leadership skills and engaged thinking in our students. Ultimately, MicroSociety will expose our students to greater opportunities for their future while building resiliency, a confidence in themselves to pursue their dreams and to become positive contributing members of society.

Requesting Parent’s Feedback As we draw closer to the end of my first year here at Parkland Village School, I wanted to express how honoured I have been to be a part of our school community. It has been a fantastic year so far working with amazing parents, staff and students. It has been a fantastic year of learning for myself personally, our staff and our students. Now that we are starting to plan for next year we are excited about a number of things that will continue to support the success of all of our students. In reflecting on this year and thinking about next year, I would like to take the opportunity to gather some feedback for myself personally in my role as principal from our community and parents to support my ongoing professional growth. If you would be willing to take a few minutes to share your thoughts for me I would greatly appreciate it. You can do so by completing a short questionnaire. You can provide your feedback online by visiting the link bit.ly/principalparentfeedback. If you would like to provide your feedback via paper, please contact the school at 780-962-8121 or email [email protected] and we will send a paper questionnaire home. Thank-you very much in advance for taking the time to do this. Sincerely, Travis McNaughton

Visual Arts Celebration

Responsibility Awards

The 2015 Visual Arts Celebration is being held at Tomahawk School - 6119, Township Rd. 512, Tomahawk Wednesday, April 29h - Friday, May 1st . This annual celebration features the artwork of students at all grade levels from across Parkland School Division. Parkland Village School submitted 35 pieces of artwork that will be displayed at Tomahawk School.

Preschool Program at Parkland Village School

Kindergarten—M/W Kai S.

Kindergarten—T/T Tristan P. Nicholas R.

Grade 1A Jordan B. Alexis M. Jakob M.

Grade 1B

Parkland Village School is an excited to share that we will be continuing to offer preschool programming with support and partnership with Parkland School Division. The preschool will include children from within the Parkland Village School attendance area as well as children identified with severe special needs in an inclusive classroom. Preschool programming will be offered four half days and priority will be given to children that will be going to kindergarten in 2016. Our classroom will be supported by: Certified teacher Learning through play Rich oral language opportunities Strong emphasis on positive social emotional development A muliti-disciplinary team that includes Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Psychologist There is a monthly fee for the program to help offset the costs of supplies, snacks and field trips. This payment is due on the first day of school and the beginning of every month thereafter. First and last month’s payment is due in September. There are a variety of options for payment. For the current fees please contact the CLICK Coordinators listed below. Application forms are available at the school office. In June you will receive a letter providing you with more details about your child’s classroom teacher, start date, supply list, etc. Thank you for your interest in our program. Please feel free to contact the school or our CLICK team with any questions or concerns @ 780-9620212 ext. 251.

Tanya Karamujic CLICK Coordinator

Were Awarded to:

Frederick B. Parker H. Leea C. Tristan M.

Grade 1/2 Sam H. Braydin R.

Grade 2A Lailee A. Echo B.

Grade 2B Dixon A. Isabel M.

Grade 3 Adrianna A. Avery E. Malikka K.

Grade 3/4 Olivia D. Kit Cochrane

Grade 4 Ryan Leboe Max Rahnell

Congratulations! May’s Theme is:

“Teacher’s Choice”

Heather Huisman CLICK Coordinator

Just to Remind You: All parents/guardians must check into the school office when they visit the school. All volunteers and visitors must sign in when they arrive at the school. P A R KL A N D V I L L A G E S C H O O L — M A Y 2 0 1 5 H T T P :/ /W W W . PS D 70 . A B . CA /S C H O O L S / P A R KL A N D V I L L A G E /P A G E S / DE F A U L T . A S P X

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Election Night for Parkland Village School Council Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. All parents are invited to attend the meeting. Childcare will be available. The following positions are open to candidates: Chair Co-Chair Secretary Media Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Classroom Representative As a parent of Parkland Village School, if you wish to put your name forward for any of the above positions, please contact the school at 780-962-8121.

Activity Day/Fun Run Friday, June 12th this year. Our annual Activity Day/ Fun Run at Parkland Village School. Activity Day starts at 9:30 a.m. and the Fun Walk/Run starts at 2:15 p.m. Our students in Grade 1-4 do a circuit in the afternoon around the park. Students in our Tuesday/Thursday Kindergarten to Grade 4 participate in outdoor events such as: sponge water relay, long jump, beanbag race, kick ball, parachute games, etc. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather including hat, and sunscreen. Also send extra fluids for the day. All parents are welcome! Monday/Wednesday Kindergarten will have their Activity Fun Day on Thursday, June 11th.

“Kindergarten Test Drive” Friday, May 22nd, 2015 Bring your child and come prepared to participate, play and have fun with the classroom activities. You will also learn more about our Kindergarten program and how you can help prepare your child for a successful year. Your child will be participating in a group of 3 to 4 other children. Parents will be invited to a different area of the school, while your child participates in the activities lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Education Week is May 5th - 9th, 2015 School Supply Lists for the 2015-2016 School Year

COMING HOME SOON!!

Parkland Village School Council has arranged with Value Drug Mart Associates Ltd. to be the supplier for our school supplies. The advantage for parents is that they can order online if they wish to, or by order form if they do not have access to the internet. The website is http://btss.valuedrugmart.com and our online order code is PL043. There will be a link to this information on our school website http://www.psd70.ab.ca/schools/ParklandVillage Please contact the school if you require more information.

Spring Class Picture Day On Tuesday, May 20th KODA Photography will be taking our Kindergarten T/T class picture/Grad pictures and SEEDS class picture starting at 9:00 a.m. M/W Kindergarten class will have their class picture/Grad pictures as well as the remaining Grades 1-4 on Monday, May 26, 2015 starting at 9:00 a.m.

Attention Parents and Guardians: Just a reminder to parents and guardians who have NOT PAID their outstanding Swimming fee of $44.00. This fee covers the swimming lesson and busing to and from the Tri Leisure Centre. Please make all cheques payable to: Parkland School Division #70.

Swimming Program Your child will be taking part in the Red Cross Swim @ School Program offered by our school, in conjunction with the TransAlta Tri Leisure Center. The final group that will be participating is: Group 4 – Mr. Schumacher/Mr. Kotak Grade 2A and Mrs. Eidick Grade 2B’s will be the week of May 4th to May 8th from 1:30 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. Page 3

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Mother’s Day

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15 Professional Development Day NO SCHOOL

All parents are welcome to attend.

Library SALE Parents Perfect pick-up Books

Parkland Village School Talent Show

Spirit Assembly Respect 9:40 a.m.

Back @ approx. 2:45 p.m.

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1:30—2:30 p.m.

St. Albert’s Children’s Festival

6:30 p.m.

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Alberta Health Services Dental Unit Sealant/Fluoride Treatment

Care of the Earth Presentation @ 1:30 p.m. Parents are Welcome to attend.

14 “Taking

Alberta Health Services Dental Unit Sealant/Fluoride Treatment

are welcome! time to Summer Reading

- USED BOOK

22 School Council Meeting “Power Team” Presented by Kindergarten Atco Gas @ 9:00 a.m. Election Night for Test Drive Day Chair. Co-Chair, Secretary various time slots

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Alberta Health Services Dental Unit Sealant/Fluoride Treatment

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Alberta Health Services Dental Unit Sealant/Fluoride Treatment

MicroSociety Mtg 4:00 pm Alberta Health Services Dental Unit Sealant/Fluoride Treatment

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Gr. 2 Swimming Group

Gr. 2 Swimming Group

Gr. 2 Swimming Group

Leave PVS 8:35 a.m.

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M/W Kindergarten Class/Grad pictures Grade 1-4 class pictures in a.m.

T/T Kindergarten Class/ Grad pictures in the a.m.

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Alberta Health Services Dental Unit Sealant/Fluoride Treatment

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Alberta Health Services Dental Unit Sealant/Fluoride Treatment

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NO SCHOOL

18 Victoria Day

Alberta Health Services Dental Unit Sealant/Fluoride Treatment

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Alberta Health Services Dental Unit Sealant/Fluoride Treatment

Gr. 2 Swimming Group 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

MicroSociety Mtg 6:30 pm

Gr. 2 Swimming Group 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

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9

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Sat

Fri

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Ecole Broxton Park Band and

Thu

Bells Spring Tour 11:30 a.m

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Wed

Education Week

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Tue

May 4th to 8th

Mon

Sun

May 2015

Adapted from: Helping Your Child With Reading and Writing - A Guide for Parents Publication Ontario Ministry of Education - The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat

You are your child’s first and most important teacher. When you help your child learn to read, write, and think critically, you are opening the door to the rich world of learning. For your child, learning to read can begin with listening to you reading stories and newspaper articles aloud. Before long, your child will show interest in reading stories and other materials on his or her own. It is very important to talk about the ideas in a book or magazine, to ask questions that encourage your child to think, and to let your child talk to you about his or her responses to what has been read. Your child can learn how to read and write more easily with your help. With regular practice, he or she will develop fluency in both reading and writing. At the same time, your child will also learn to think critically about the stories or informational materials that he or she reads. Families can incorporate literacy activities anywhere – developing literacy is not just what children do while at school. It is important that you look for opportunities for your child to learn wherever you are and whenever you can. Literacy is part of every day in some way, no matter what you are doing or where you are. Literacy skills are used in all kinds of situations – for example, when reading food labels, when talking with other children on the soccer field, when discussing a movie with the family, or when writing lists to be posted on the refrigerator. It’s important for you to encourage your child and to show that you have confidence in him or her. Avoid comparing your child’s performance with that of other children. Remember that learning to read and write does not take place all at once. Also, learning to read and write is not always easy, and children need to know that everyone learns at different rates. Children learn to read and write over time with lots of practice and with support from parents and teachers.

Tip 1 | Talk With Your Child Talking to your child and encouraging him or her to talk to you are extremely important. Listening and speaking are a child’s introduction to language and literacy. Activities such as talking and singing will teach your child the sounds and structures of language, making it easier for him or her to learn to read and write. Here are some things you can do to help your child build an appreciation for words and language: Tell family stories about yourself, your child’s grandparents, and other relatives. Encourage your child to tell you about his or her day – about activities, sports, and games. Ask lots of questions so that your child knows you are interested in what he or she is thinking about. Talk with your child as much as possible about things you are doing and thinking. Encourage your child to tell you what he or she thinks or feels. Don’t interrupt! Let your child find the words he or she wants to use. Sing songs, such as the alphabet song, and recite nursery rhymes, encouraging your child to join in. Play rhyming and riddle games.

Tip 2 | Make Reading and Writing Fun Reading aloud to your child is the best way to get him or her interested in reading. Not only is it fun for the whole family, but it will also help your child to learn what reading is about. Encourage your child to write also. Here are some things you can do to help make reading and writing fun for your child: Read all kinds of materials – stories, poems, informational books, magazines, newspaper articles, and comics. Read stories aloud with drama and excitement! Use different voices for different characters in a story. Use your child’s name instead of a character’s name. Make puppets and use them to act out the story. Re-read your child’s favourite stories as many times as your child wants to hear them, and choose books and authors that your child enjoys. Read stories that have repetitive parts, and encourage your child to join in. Point to the words as you read them. This will help your child make the connection between the spoken words and the words on the page. Discuss the themes of a story, and ask questions about the characters. Ask questions that make your child think about what might happen next or what he or she might do in the same situation. Discuss the main ideas in an informational piece, such as a newspaper article. Encourage relatives and friends to give your child books or other reading materials as gifts. Take your child to the local library. Look at CD-ROMs, videos, magazines, and the Internet, as well as books. Get a library card, so that he or she can borrow books. Subscribe to a magazine for your child. He or she will love receiving mail! Write notes to your child on paper or by e-mail. Encourage your child to write lists and to write cards or send e-mail messages to friends and relatives. Always remember to have fun. The more you enjoy yourself, the more your child will enjoy the experience. Page 5

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Five for Families! Researchers have identified five areas where the home and family can influence reading development in children: 1. Value Placed on Literacy: Parents show their own interest in reading by reading in front of their children and encouraging them to read, too. 2. Press for Achievement: Parents let children know that they are expected to achieve and help them develop reading skills.

Above is Grade 2B’s beautiful “Spring Mural” and below is their individual spring flower art work.

3. Availability and Use of Reading Material: Homes with reading and writing materials for children—such as books, newspapers, writing paper, pencils, and crayons—create more opportunities to develop literacy. 4. Reading with Children: Parents who read to preschoolers and listen as older children read aloud help children become readers. 5. Opportunities for Verbal Interaction: The quantity and content of conversation between parents and children influence language and vocabulary development, both building blocks for later reading success.

Source: Hess & Holloway, 1984. Family and School as Educational Institutions

Tip 3 | Read Every Day Children respond well to routine, and reading is something that you and your child can look forward to every day. By taking the time to read and to talk with your child, you are showing that this is important and fun to do. Try to read with your child as often as possible. It is the most important thing you can do to help him or her learn at school. It will also allow you to spend high-quality time together and to develop a strong and healthy relationship that is built on sharing of ideas. Here are some ideas: Start reading with your child when he or she is very young. Set aside a special time each day when you can give your full attention to reading with your child. Choose a comfortable spot to read, where you can be close to your child. Create a “reading area” there together. Choose many different books. If your child’s first language is not English, choose books both in English and in your child’s first language. A strong basis in a child’s first language makes it easier for him or her to learn a second or third language – in this case, English. Vary the length of reading time depending on your child’s age, interests, and grade. For young children, several short sessions (of 10 minutes each) may be better than one long session (of 30 minutes). Read slowly so that your child can make a mental picture of what is happening in the story. Praise your child for talking about his or her ideas and asking questions. When you and your child are away from home, take along some books, magazines, and books-on-tape for your child to read and listen to. Even after your child has learned how to read, keep reading to him or her. By reading stories that will interest your child but are above his or her reading level, you can stretch your child’s understanding and keep alive the magic of sharing books together.

Tip 4 | Talk About Books Talking about the books you read is just as important as reading them! Talking with your child about a story or other book helps your child understand it and connect it to his or her own experience of life. It also helps enrich your child’s vocabulary with new words and phrases. Encourage your child to read informational materials, such as children’s sci-

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ence magazines or websites. Talk about the materials with your child and ask plenty of questions. Here are some ways to help your child learn the skills needed for comprehension, reasoning, and critical thinking: Ask your child what he or she would like to read about. Read and talk about your own favourite books from childhood. Look at the cover and the title of a storybook with your child, and ask your child what he or she thinks might happen in the story. Encourage your child to ask questions and to make comments on the pictures and the story before, during, and after reading it. Encourage your child to think critically about all books. Does he or she agree or disagree with the author? Why? Is the information accurate or not? Think out loud about a book as you read, and encourage your child to do the same. For example, ask “Does this make sense? Why or why not?” Give your child time to think about the book, and then talk about it with him or her again a few days later.

Tip 5 | Listen to Your Child Read As your child learns to read, it is very important to listen to him or her read aloud. Reading to you will give your child a chance to improve his or her reading skills with practice. By doing this, he or she will build confidence. As you listen to your child, remember that your reactions are very important. Above all, listen without interrupting. Be enthusiastic and praise your child as often as you can. If possible, be specific with your praise so that your child will know what he or she is doing well. Finally, don’t forget to encourage your child to read on his or her own. Here are some tips: Show your child that you are enjoying the book by showing interest and asking questions. Be patient. Allow your child time to figure out tricky words. Show your child how he or she can learn from mistakes. Pick a time for reading when there will not be any interruptions. Make sure that your child selects books that aren’t too difficult. Don’t worry if your child chooses books that are a little easier than the ones he or she reads at school. On the other hand, if your child chooses a book that is slightly above his or her grade level, praise your child for choosing it and be prepared to help where necessary. Your child will see that it is good to challenge oneself. Encourage your child to “listen” to his or her own reading. Listening will help him or her to hear mistakes and try to fix them. When your child is just beginning to read, you may want to “share” the reading. You can take turns, or try reading together. After reading, talk about the story to make sure that your child understood it.

Tip 6 | Set an Example for Your Child As a parent, you are your child’s most important role model. Here are some reading and writing activities that you can do with your child: Read recipes, food labels, schedules, maps, instructions, advertisements, flyers, and brochures. Read traffic, store, and restaurant signs. Read novels, newspapers, and/or magazines for enjoyment. Look up information in phone books, cookbooks, manuals, atlases, and dictionaries. Write shopping lists, telephone messages, reminder notes, and labels. Write the date and time of appointments and activities on a family calendar. Read and write greeting cards, letters, and e-mail messages. Take the time to show your child that reading and writing are used in many ways every day. Make sure your child sees you reading and writing for your own purposes. Also, as you do reading and writing activities with your child, introduce new words and phrases to him or her.

Grade 1B’s “Easter Bunny Applications” and why they would make a good candidate for the job.

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P A R KL A N D V I L L A G E S C H OO L — M A Y 2 0 1 5 H T T P :/ /W W W . PS D 70 . A B . CA /S C H O O L S / P A R KL A N D V I L L A G E /P A G E S / DE F A U L T . A S P X

Grade 1/2’s “Let’s Go Fly a Kite with Grade 1/2” They look almost too pretty to take outside.

Grade 1/2’s “Butterflies”

Grade 4’s “Celebrating all things Irish.”

Parkland Village School Talent Show Thursday, May 28, 2015 @ 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. All parents are welcome to attend. Donation of $2.00 per person will be greatly appreciated

Funds will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and the MS Society

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P A R KL A N D V I L L A G E S C H OO L — M A Y 2 0 1 5 H T T P :/ /W W W . PS D 70 . A B . CA /S C H O O L S / P A R KL A N D V I L L A G E /P A G E S / DE F A U L T . A S P X