PWS UPDATE
Park West School
Newsletter
Phone: (902) 457-7800 E-mail:
parkwest@hrsb.ns.ca
Website: parkwest.ednet.ns.ca
Principal:
Mr. D. Carter Vice
Principals: Ms. M. Chiasson Mr. B. Melanson
October
22, 2012
Receive the PWS Update electronically! You can receive the PWS Update
electronically via e-mail. If you wish
to be among the first to receive the latest editions of our school newsletters
by having it sent to your e-mail address simply e-mail your request to Mr. Carter
at dcarter@hrsb.ns.ca The PWS
Update is published approximately every two weeks.
8:25: that’s the time school starts in the
morning. Our students need to be here on
time. When students arrive late for school (either in the morning or after
lunch) they are disrupting school and classroom routines, missing out on
receiving classroom instruction and important information. Arriving on time allows them the opportunity to
prepare for learning (getting their materials organized, removing outdoor wear,
going to lockers, etc.). Entrance bells
ring at 8:25 am and 12:50 pm. Students
should be on school grounds and ready to enter the building at those
times. We are striving to teach our
students the value of time management, punctuality, respect for others, and
good citizenship. We are preparing them
for life. Our society values
punctuality.
Safety First: Guidelines for vehicular traffic on our school
grounds:
·
Obey the speed limit of 15
km/hour.
·
Stop for pedestrians at all times.
·
Be aware of crosswalks.
·
Drop off students at curbside
in the DROP OFF ZONE. This is for QUICK
drop-offs and pick-ups ONLY.
·
Do not drop-off or pick-up students in the middle of the school driveway
or traffic loop. Use the Drop Off
Zone.
·
Do not park in the DROP OFF ZONE or traffic loop, unless in one of the
four designated parking spots.
·
Only park in VISITOR PARKING areas.
Lots of visitor parking is available on the south side of our
building.
·
Do not park in the Fire Lane.
·
Do not drive or park in the STAFF parking lot.
·
School buses always have the
right-of-way. At no time should vehicles
impede the movement and parking of school buses on school property.
Safer School Zones: Effective September 1 in Nova Scotia, to help make
school zones safer, the speed limit was reduced to 30 km/h in areas where the
approaching limit is 50 km/h, when children are present. Where the speed limit
is higher than 50 km/h, drivers will continue to be required to reduce speed to
a maximum of 50 km/h when children are present. The reduced speed limit applies
at all times when children are present in the school area. Children present is
defined as being (i) on the highway in the school area , or (ii) outdoors,
within 30 metres of the highway, in the school area. This reduced speed limit
will be in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year when children
are present in the school area. Speed
fines and penalties are dependent on the degree at which the motorist is above
the reduced speed limit in the school area.
A Safe School: In an effort to keep our school safe and secure we
continue to closely monitor individuals entering our building during school
hours. Anyone (that includes parents,
other family members, maintenance workers, volunteers, and other visitors)
entering our school during school hours MUST report to the office to
register. At this time you may be
requested to register in our Visitors Sign-In Book and wear a “visitor” ID tag. All permanent staff members at Park West now
wear official HRSB photo ID tags.
Substitute teachers, volunteers, and visitors are provided with
appropriate ID tags as well. Any
individuals found in our school without an ID tag and/or authorization may be
questioned. Other than normal student
entry times, entry to the building is via the main doors only. We appreciate your support and cooperation as
we strive to maintain a welcoming yet safe and secure facility for our students
and staff.
Diamond Jubilee Medal: A new commemorative medal was created to mark
the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth
II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for
her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant
contributions and achievements by Canadians.
To be eligible for this honour, a person must have made a significant
contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community within
Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. During the year of celebrations, 60 000
deserving Canadians will be recognized.
Two members of the Park West community were nominated and recently
received the medal at a ceremony in Halifax.
Congratulations to Mr. Glenn
Anderson and Ms. Anne Hebb…two
outstanding members of our community who have been honoured for their
achievements and significant contributions.
We’re proud of you!
And the winner is……. The Haliwards is a volunteer based community
awards project in the Halifax Regional Municipality entering its third year.
Throughout HRM there are people who strive to make their community just that
little bit better. It’s the person who gives her/his time to raise money for
charity; the mother who has sacrificed her life to care for a sick child; the
person who has stood up for what he/she believes in, just because it felt
right; or the person who has done everything she/he could to make your life
just that little bit easier. These are the people who make up what we know as a
community today. The aim is to give the people of HRM a chance to offer their
thanks to individuals or groups for the extraordinary things they do, whatever
that may be. The Haliwards awards have
no boundaries – that’s what makes us unique. In everyone’s life there is
someone who’s extraordinary. We are
proud to announce that a member of our Park West family has won a Haliward this
year. Congratulations to Ms. Lynn Anderson who received her
award at a ceremony on October 18. Lynn
is a member of our PTA and works tirelessly to support us and raise money for
our school.
Email
Subscription: Parents are welcome to sign up for email
subscriptions. You can receive newsletters, notices, school closure announcements
via email instantly on your computer and/or phone. Go to Parkwest website (www.parkwest.ednet.ns.ca ) and click
on E-Newsletter Subscription on the left hand shortcuts. Add your email on the Follow by Email and begin to receive
school information instantly!
Why Not Walk? October 2012 is International Walk to School
Month. The Active & Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) Committee at Park
West School celebrates walking to school as it gives children, parents, school
teachers and community leaders an opportunity to be part of a global event as
they celebrate the many benefits of walking. Walkers from around the
world walk to school together for various reasons — all hoping to create
communities that are safe places to walk. For more information or to help
with the ASRTS Committee, please contact Kelly Greenwood at klgreenwood@eastlink.ca or by phone
at 802-4046. During Walk to School
Month, and throughout the year, it is important to remember Tips for
Walking Safely to School. Walk together. Younger children should always walk with an
adult. If your parents say that you can
walk to school on your own, remember these tips: 1. Walk
with a friend when possible. 2. Ask your parents to help you pick a safe
route to school. 3. Stick
to the route you picked with your parents. 4.
Don’t let friends talk you into shortcuts that are more dangerous. 5. When
you are near the street, don’t push, shove, or chase each other. 6. Never
hitchhike or take rides from people not arranged by your parents. 7. Be seen.
Remember, drivers may not be able to see you well. Always wear
bright-colored clothes and if it is dark or hard to see, carry flashlights or
wear reflective gear. 8. Look for
traffic. Watch out for cars and trucks
at every driveway and intersection on your walk to school. Look for drivers in
parked cars. They may be getting ready to move.
Cross the street safely: 1. Stop
at the curb or edge of the street. 2.
Look left, right, left and behind you and in front of you for traffic. 3. Wait until no traffic is coming and begin
crossing. 4. Keep looking for traffic
until you have finished crossing. 5.
Walk, don’t run across the street. Obey
traffic signs, signals and adult school crossing guards. Safe Walking.
Tired of making sandwiches? The Park West School cafeteria serves a
variety of hot tasty healthy meals for our students to purchase at lunchtime.
Daily specials include: grilled cheese
and tomato soup; beef & macaroni bake; baked chicken with rice and veggies;
meatloaf with mashed potatoes; sloppy joes; roast beef dinner; sweet & sour
chicken balls with rice and egg roll; chicken cacciatore; lasagna; mini
hamburgers and taters; chicken fajitas; meatballs with rice; baked ham and
scallop potatoes; shepherd’s pie; and chicken fingers. Lots of other choices are available. Hot
lunch specials are from $3.75 to $4.50.
Other cafeteria offerings include:
cheese pizza ($3.50); garlic fingers with donair sauce ($3); nachos and
dip ($3); hamburgers ($2.25); cheeseburgers ($2.75); chickenburgers ($2.75);
veggies trays ($2.25); fruit cups ($1.25); and chicken ceasar wraps
($3.75). An assortment of freshly made sandwiches are available
(egg salad, chicken salad, ham & cheese, and tuna salad) for only $3.25,
and salads (garden or ceasar) for
$3.35. During the cold winter months hot homemade soups will be served daily
for only $3.25. Drinks include: bottled
water ($1.25); 100% pure fruit juice (.55/$1.50); milk (.35); and chocolate
milk ($1.25). A variety of snacks for sale include: baked chips ($1.50); Crispers ($1.50); Rice
Krispie squares (.60); and cookies (.60). The cafeteria opens at 8 am for pre-ordering and for breakfast. Toast, bagels, and bacon/ham/cheese on toast
are available for those who didn’t get to eat at home. Two copies of the menu are sent home to all
students in grades primary to three every month; one to keep and one to use as
an order form. Menus will soon be
available on our school website. To
request a menu, place an order, or if you have any questions please contact our
cafeteria operator, Jane Scrymgeour, at 440-7352 between 8 am and 12:45 daily.
School Fees: Based on
feedback we have received from parents and after consultation with our School
Advisory Council and Parent-Teacher Association the student fee structure for
Park West School has been revised. The
following school fees are suggested for 2012-2013:
|
Grade:
|
Fees cover:
|
|
Primary
$25
|
·
Subsidy towards class trips and/or in-class
activities (egs. Guest speaker, Mad Science workshop, special craft project)
·
School presentations: guest speakers and performances (egs.
Neptune Theatre, Symphony Nova Scotia, Mermaid Theatre, Terry Kelly)
·
School Activities: Field Day, Multicultural Festival,
etc.
·
Personalized items: deskplate, name tags, labels for school
supplies, photos for classroom activities.
|
|
One – Six
$25
|
·
Subsidy towards class trips and/or in-class
activities (egs. Guest speaker, Mad Science workshop, special craft project).
·
School presentations: guest speakers and performances (egs.
Neptune Theatre, Symphony Nova Scotia, Mermaid Theatre, Terry Kelly)
·
School Activities: Field Day, Multicultural Festival,
etc.
·
School agenda for each student
|
|
Seven – Nine
$25
|
·
Subsidy towards class trips and/or in-class
activities (egs. Guest speaker, Mad Science workshop, special craft project).
·
School presentations: guest speakers and performances (egs.
Neptune Theatre, Symphony Nova Scotia, Mermaid Theatre, Terry Kelly)
·
School Activities: Field Day, Multicultural Festival,
etc.
·
Combination lock for locker
|
|
Athletic Fees
*fee will be according to the team sport
|
Athletic fees for team members will be determined based on the
expenses associated with each sport.
Students chosen to play on school teams will each be responsible to
pay the fee to cover these expenses for the team. Athletic fees will pay for:
·
Referee fees
·
Subsidize transportation expenses
·
School athletic association memberships
·
Venue rental expenses
·
Tournament and event fees
|
|
Band Fees
$20
|
Band fees will be charged to each band student in grades 6 – 9. Band fees will pay for:
·
Entrance fees for festivals and events
·
Subsidize transportation expenses
·
Enhancements (eg. special musical
arrangements)
·
Guest clinicians or presenters
|
During
the school year our students participate in many extra-curricular activities to
enhance learning and their overall school experience. We promote and provide these learning
experiences and opportunities because we believe they are important for
intellectual, emotional and social development.
They enhance the learning experience, and are often fun. Many of these activities can only be
provided at an extra cost to the school and our students. Therefore, we are requesting funds (school
fees) from parents to help defray the costs so we can provide these
opportunities and experiences for our students.
In most cases student fees will only partially cover the cost associated
with certain activities; in particular the class
trips in which your child will participate during the course of school
year. School fees will be used to
subsidize class trips. Sometimes it will be necessary to charge additional fees
to cover the entire cost of trips. Some
classes take more trips than others. Some
trips cost more than others. Bus
charters (even when using Stock Transportation, the school board bus provider)
have become extremely expensive. For
instance, to charter one bus to go from our school to the Nova Scotia Museum on
Summer Street in Halifax costs approximately $200. That does not include the fee the museum
charges. We are requesting school and band fees be paid in
September by the end of the month, if possible. Athletic fees may be paid throughout the year as team participants
are selected. It is not our intention to
cause any of our families undue hardship.
Fees may be paid by cash or cheque.
Please submit fees in an envelope with the name and class of the
student. Receipts will be issued. Student
fees are now due.
Dates to Remember:
|
October 25
|
PTA Hallowe’en Family Dance
|
5:30 – 8:00 pm
|
|
October 26
|
Conference Day (no school for students)
|
|
|
November 8
|
Park West Remembrance Ceremony (you’re invited to attend)
|
10:30 am
|
|
November 9
|
PD Day (no school for students)
|
|
|
November 12
|
Schools
closed to commemorate Remembrance Day
|
|
|
November 13
|
School photo retakes
|
|
|
November 14
|
Parent-Teacher Conferences (to discuss student progress)
|
Afternoon/evening
|
|
November 29
|
International Community Pot Luck Dinner
|
evening
|
|
November 30
|
Assessment/Evaluation Day
(no school for students)
|
|
|
December 3
|
Fine Arts Christmas Concert (band, choir, strings)`
|
Evening
|
|
December 11 & 12
|
Christmas Concerts (grades P – 6)
|
Afternoon/evening
|
