Lethbridge Christian School
Newsletter
Sept, 2, 2008
WELCOME BACK
The staff of Lethbridge Christian School would like to say welcome to all of our returning and new families. In this newsletter you will find a few reminders and school start up notices. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office at 403-3200677. ================================
EARLY ARRIVALS
Elementary students arriving at school before the buses arrive at 8:25 (warning bell) will be expected to wait outside in the playground area. Supervision begins at 8:15. If weather is a factor, students will be allowed to wait in the gym. Middle school students arriving early will be allowed to go to their classroom as long as they remain quietly in their room. Students found in the hall will be asked to wait outside in the playground area. The office/school is open at 8:00 am so please plan your arrival accordingly.
2008 – 2009 Staff
Ralph Light - Principal Val Clifton – Gr. 1 – Room 103 Melanie McMurray – Gr. 2/3 – Room 109 Carol Hanson – Gr. 3/4 – Room 105 Celia Svoboda – Gr. 4/5 – Rm 104 Alf Epp – Gr. 6 – Room 110 Alicia Reimer – Gr. 7 – Room 106 Allison Overbeeke - Gr. 8 – Room 107 Barb Hignell – Special Ed/Middle School Music & Option Class Yvonne Beswitherick – ECS – Room 108 Kara Bayly – Teacher – Math & Social 6 Cecelia Harmon – Secretary Lorraine Pennington – Library Operations Maureen Racz – ELI/Speech Language Sylvia Stroeve – Aide Holly Hubregtse - Aide Linda Derksen – Society Bookkeeper Al Carlson- Caretaker Bobbi Jo Vatamaniuck – Caretaker Gary Harmon – Bus Driver Jo-Anne Hegi –Bus Driver Will Sanders - Bus Driver ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FYI The office/school is open from: 8:00 – 4:00 Monday to Thursday 8:00 – 2:00 Friday The school email is lcs@lethsd.ab.ca The website is http://lsdweb.lethsd.ab.ca/lcs/
PARENT VISITATIONS
Parents are welcome in the school at any time. When you arrive, you need to check in at the office so you can sign in and receive a name tag. If you are planning on visiting a class, please make prior arrangements with the teacher. They always appreciate help with marking, etc and if you are going to be here they will have things planned for you to do. STUDENT PICK-UPS Parents who are picking their children up should wait for them in the office area because of the congestion in the hall. If you are waiting in the parking lot, please have your students use the crosswalk in front of the office for safety reasons.
Noon Hour Attendance
Please note that students are not allowed off campus at noon unless they have written permission in the office prior to the event. This is for the safety and well being of all students.
BUS INFORMATION
1) Thank you for your patience as the drivers work to perfect the bus list. A temporary bus list has been included with today’s newsletter but please be aware that as the week progresses, it may change. The final lists will be sent home as soon as they are available. 2) Children must be waiting outside 5 minutes before their regularly scheduled pickup. Drivers will not wait for children who are not out and ready and they are not able to go to the door to pick children up. Your support is essential in this area since one child holding up the bus affects everyone else on the route. 3) Please keep your bus list readily available (posted next to the phone). In case of bus cancellation or extreme lateness, the first parent on the list will be given a call by Cecelia or the bus driver with the necessary message. That person will then need to phone the next person on the list who will phone the next person and so on. The last person on the list will phone Cecelia or the office so we know the message has gone through. If there is no answer when you phone, leave a message on the machine if they have one and then proceed to phone the next person on the list. 4) Please note, that for your child’s safety, bus cell phone numbers are not given out to any parents. 5) ANY CHANGES TO YOUR CHILD’S REGULAR SCHEDULE MUST be reported to the office. A note can be sent with your child in the morning or you can phone the office and let us know of any changes prior to the end of the day. Changes include: being picked up, going to a friend’s on a different route, being picked up by someone else, etc. If the OFFICE does not have verification by the parent of changes in the regular schedule, your child will be sent home on their normal route.
Children are NOT ALLOWED to phone home after school to make any changes so please avoid any disappointment for your child by following this protocol. 6) WE DO NOT DO OFF ROUTE DROP OFFS unless they happen to be along our regularly scheduled routes. Therefore, please do not ask us to do music lessons, swimming lessons, etc.
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If you do not receive your school information by email, today you will have received your newsletter in a communication envelope. PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS ENVELOPE EVERYTIME YOU RECEIVE IT. This enables us to know that you have received your information. You can also send forms, etc. back to us through this envelope. If you are not receiving your correspondence by e-mail but would like to do so, please let the office know and remember to let us know if your e-mail address changes. ---------------------------------------------------------------
LOCKERS
Middle school students will be issued with lockers and locks on the first day of school. If the lock is not returned at the end of the year, a $10.00 replacement fee will be assessed. Only school locks are permitted. #####################################
MEDICATION
The school does not give out any over the counter medications such as Tylenol or cough medicine and we do not use antiseptic creams such as polysporin. If your child is on a prescribed medication, you will need to fill out a consent form and leave the medicine at the office. The forms are available at the office.
SCHOOL ABSENCES & LATES
If your child is going to be absent or late for school please phone the office prior to 9:00 a.m. If your child is late, they will need to stop at the office to get a late slip. Thank you in advance for your co-operation. =================================== Volunteers are a vital and important part of the school system. Without your help, we would not be able to offer all of the programs we would like to. Included with today’s newsletter is a volunteer survey. We would ask that both parents fill out the form and return it to the school ASAP. There are several areas that we need filled as soon as possible so if you are able to help, please let the office know. 1) Hot Lunch Program - this involves picking up and distributing the hot lunches to the various classrooms. If you are not able to be at the school for lunch but would like to help, we also need volunteers to make desserts such as cookies, squares, etc. If you would like more information, please call the office at 403-320-0677. The program will begin as soon as we have volunteers in place. 2) Chapel Help – We are looking for people or worship teams who would like to lead worship on Monday & Friday chapels. Chapels begin at 8:35 and run until approximately 9:15. If you are able to help (regularly or once in a while) please call the office as soon as possible. 3) Taking bottles to the bottle depot Bottles are collected on a regular basis for the elementary music program. We are looking for an individual who would be willing to take these to the depot and then return the money to the school.
PHONE RULES
Please note that the phone is for office and school business use only. Students are not allowed to use the phone except for emergencies and only with written permission from their teacher. Parents are urged to make sure that their children leave home with their lunch, band instruments, swimming suits, etc. since these do not constitute an emergency. The office will not take personal calls for students from anyone other than their parents and will then only take a message to be passed on to your child at an appropriate time. We do not get children out of class during the school day since it interrupts the whole class. They will be able to get back to you at their earliest convenience. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
REMINDER
If you have not already done so we need: -Your postdated cheques for the user fee ($205 per month– single student $265 per month – two or more students $44.50 per month for ECS bussing) -District 51 fees-$41.00 per elementary, $53.00 per middle school -Supply fee of $40.00 for ECS, Grade 1, 2 & 3 students -Agenda fee of $10.00 for Grade 3 – 8 students -Option fee of $50.00 for Grade 6 – 8 students
Volunteer Registration Form
The school requires everyone who will be volunteering to fill out the attached volunteer form. If you are planning to be in the school in any capacity please fill out and return this form ASAP. If you require additional forms check at the office.
Chapels
Mondays and Fridays, the school has chapel at 8:35. Parents are always welcome to attend. If you or someone you know would like to share at a Monday chapel please let the office know. On Fridays, our chapels will be a celebration offering praise to the Lord, recognizing birthdays and acknowledging student achievements.
Library Books & Birthdays
on your child’s birthday we are encouraging you to donate a book in honor of your child to the library. The child’s name will be placed in the book and they will receive recognition for their donation. This will not only increase the circulation in the library, but hopefully will encourage your child to read more. {}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{} {}{}{}{
Fire Drills and Lock Down Procedures
Throughout the year we will be having several fire drills. If you come to the school and see a sign on the door asking you not to enter due to a fire drill, please obey the sign and wait outside until we reenter the building. We will also be having lock down practices for the unthinkable disaster. Students will be given the procedures very shortly in class but here they are so you are aware of what your child is talking about. -A code will be given from the office to instruct the school that we have a problem. -The classroom doors will be locked and the lights turned out. -Students will need to lay on the floor or under their desks. -Any students found outside of their class will need to stay where they are (in the washroom, outside, etc.) -After everything has been determined to be all right, an all clear code will be given. If you come to the school and see the office window is closed (other than at noon which is lunch time), leave the building immediately. ===================================
Office Depot Supply Program
Office Depot is still running the school support program. When families or friends purchase supplies at Office Depot give them the name of our school or our ID # - 80000978. Office Depot will then credit the school for 5% which we in turn use for school supplies. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Canteen
Once again we will be offering healthy snacks for sale in the canteen. A copy of the form is in the classroom. Canteen orders are pre-ordered and pre-paid first thing in the morning. The program begins Sept. 2. Please remember that we do not offer hot food so plan accordingly. --------------------------------------------------------------MILK The school offers milk for 75 cents from Monday to Thursday. For your convenience we have included an order form with this newsletter. Milk sales will begin Sept. 15. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Peanut Allergies
Please be aware that this year the school has students in Grades 1, 3 & 8 with peanut allergies. This type of allergy can be deadly so we are asking parents NOT to send food or snacks with any kinds of nuts in them. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Health Nurse
Lori Zillman is our school health nurse. If you have any questions, you can reach her at 3886666.
Footwear
The focus of our school has always been cleanliness so we
See attached order form regarding the possibility of doing a yearbook for this year. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Prepaid Accounts
We have set up a prepaid account program whereby parents can give the school money to be used by parents for various expenses (fieldtrips, milk, hot lunch, etc.) throughout the year. You designate the amount you would like in this account and it will be used with permission from you to pay for the acitivities. You will be given montly statements showing the status of your account. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call. ====================================
are require each student to have an “indoor” pair of shoes at the school.
When students come to school they will take off their shoes. Elementary students will leave the shoes in the boot room, middle school students will carry their shoes to their lockers. Students will then change into their indoor shoes. The indoor shoes can also be used for phys. Ed. At recess they will again change into their outdoor shoes. Microwave Use
Microwaves will not be available for use in the kindergarten to Grade 4 classes since heating up food consumes too much of the lunch hour.
Sponsor Child
Our school sponsors a young boy named Velmani Santhirasekaram. He is from Sri Lanka and was born on Dec. 15/1993. Any new information we receive about him is posted in front of the office. There is also a jar on the office desk where we collect money to send special offerings to Velmani. Your donations are welcome. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Make sure you plan your lunches accordingly.
P.S. - siblings of Grade 5 – 8 will not have access to other school microwaves. ****************************************************
MS Read A Thon
From Sept. 22 – Oct. 10 the school will be participating in the MS Read-A Thon. Forms will go home shortly with more information.
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Cell Phones, MP3’s and Other Electronic Devices
Students are not permitted to bring cell phones, MP’s, gameboys or other electronic devices to school Any such devices being found on school property – which includes the buses - will be brought to the office. The student may receive them back at the end of the week, although we reserve the right to hold them for longer periods on the second or third offense. *****************************************
Fair Notice of Risk/Threat Assessment
Our School District believes in creating safe and caring environments for students and staff. Any incident where a student engages in behaviour which threatens or appears to threaten the safety of others will be investigated. Administrators can implement a Risk Assessment for behaviours that are worrisome including writing or drawings with violent themes; references to or involvement in violent activity at school; or an increased interest in activities that are deemed as dangerous to the safety of others.
Yearbooks
A Threat Assessment is implemented when a student threatens to kill or injure others, brings a weapon to school, or makes direct verbal or written violent threats to others. The Threat/Risk Assessment regulations are outlined in Policy 504.9 in the School District Policy Handbook available at www.new.lethsd.ab.ca.
No Child Without Program
Our school is involved in the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation’s No Child Without ® program. Our school is one of approximately 400 schools across Canada participating in this program. Students in our school who are between the ages of 4 &13 are able to participate in this program. The program offers MedicAlert membership at no cost. Parents who have a child with a medical condition, allergy or is required to take medication on a regular basis, should consider participating in the program. MedicAlert identification can alert school staff, friends, coaches and others about your child’s medical condition in an emergency. For further information, come to the school office for a No Child Without brochure or visit www.nochildwithout.ca. If your child is already participating in the program, and there have been changes in their medical condition or medications, contact MedicAlert at 1800-668-1507 to update your child’s file. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Family Pancake Breakfast Canteen & Milk Starts MS Read A Thon Begins Year Book Order Deadline Shopping Card Order Deadline Oct. 10 MS Read A Thon Ends Oct. 13 Thanksgiving Day – No School Oct. 21 Picture Day Oct. 21-23 Book Fair Nov. 10 & 11 No School Nov. 14 No School Nov. 18 Report Cards Nov. 20 Parent Teacher Interviews Dec. 11 Middle School Christmas Concert Dec. 17 Elementary Christmas Concert Sept. 5 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 30 Oct. 8
Campbell’s Soup Labels
The school collects Campbell Soup Labels that we redeem for school supplies such as library books. Please send your complete label with the UPC code to the school. If you are sending in a large amount, bundle them in groups of 25. Special thanks to Sharon who graciously counted and bundled the labels collected last year. =====================================
Lethbridge Indoor Soccer Registration
Tuesday - Wednesday, September 2 & 3 - 10am - 6pm Thursday - Friday, September 4 & 5 - 10am - 8pm Saturday, September 6 10 - 4pm Community Savings Place (Soccer Centre) 2501 - 28 Avenue South NEW "SOFTER" TURF INSTALLED
Canadian Tire Money
If you do not use your Canadian Tire money, you can send it into the school. We then use it to purchase supplies.
2005, 2004, 2003 - $95 2002 - 1991 - $195 More information can be found at www.lethbridgesoccer.com or 403-320-5425
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Back-to-school resources prepare parents and students for new year
Edmonton... Parents, students and teachers can find many resources and tips for a successful school year in the Alberta government’s online back-to-school information kit. Here are some details and further contact information.
Back-to-school tips for parents
Parents and guardians looking for information on preparing their kids for back to school have access to a variety of online resources, including things to consider before the first day of school, study tips, managing homework and safe Internet use. Other valuable online information for parents and students includes learning resources, tips on time management and being a successful student, and curriculum handbooks and summaries, which provide both in-depth and grade-at-a-glance information on what students are expected to learn at each grade level. For more information, visit http://education.alberta.ca/resources/backtoschool.aspx =============================================================================
Mission Statement Lethbridge Christian School exists to provide students with a Christ-centered education in an interdenominational setting, challenging them to life-long excellence as they grow in knowledge and love, and in obedience to Jesus Christ. … Know, Love and Obey Jesus Christ
Welcome Back Family Pancake Breakfast
Friday, Sept. 5 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
The school is having a family pancake breakfast Friday Sept. 5 beginning at 7:30. You are welcome to bring your children to school and join in the festivities. The morning will provide an opportunity to meet the staff and other school families. Following breakfast you are welcome to stay and join us for chapel and our “Olympic event morning”. PLEASE BE AWARE that all students MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT since supervision by staff members will not begin until the regular time of 8:15. Students whose parents are not able to attend will have breakfast when they arrive on the bus or are dropped off by parents at their regular scheduled time. In order to plan appropriately for food and the bus, we do need you to RSVP by Thursday, Sept. 4. Please fill out the form below and return it to the office immediately. ============================================================= _____ Yes we will be attending the breakfast so our children will not be needing the bus that morning. Number attending _________ (Do not include your children currently attending school in this your count) _____ No we will not be attending the breakfast so our children will be on the bus or brought to school at their regular time. Family Name (please print) _________________________________
Yearbook If there is enough interest, the school will be offering a yearbook for the 2008/09 school year. In order to do this, we need to have a minimum of 100 books ordered by the deadline of Sept. 30th. The cost is $20.00 per book. If you wish to purchase a yearbook, please fill out the order form below, attach the required amount of money and return it to the school prior to the deadline.
All orders must be prepaid and in by the deadline of Sept. 30th - NO EXCEPTIONS
(The decision as to whether or not we have enough interest to proceed will be made at that time.) ===============================================
2008/09 Yearbook Order Form Family Name: ____________________________ # of Yearbooks X $20.00 each = __________
Total Fee Enclosed: ____________________ Deadline for ordering is Sept. 30.
Society Fund Raiser
Lethbridge Christian School is holding an on-going shopping card fundraiser. It’s practically effortless and won’t cost you any extra money. We have teamed up with various grocery stores as well as a company called Progressive Fundraising. The Progressive Fundraising program is a donation program funded by national retailers like Sears, Canadian Tire, Chapters and Moxie ’s to name just a few. The retailers who participate in the program donate a percentage of what our parents and supporters spend in their stores through a shopping card program that makes your participation easy. All you need to do is fill out and return the order form to buy shopping cards for you, your friends and family. These shopping cards can be used for your everyday purchases from the stores you already shop at. Use them at face value and LCS benefits 2 – 11 % of the card value depending on the retailer. How simple! These shopping cards are all declining balance cards which means that they can be used over several shopping trips until there is no value left on the card. The first order is due Oct. 9 and the coupons will be sent to you by the end of the month.
Please feel free to contact Sharon Nieuwenhuis for more information. dsnkids@telus.net