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
January
4, 2013
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. Parents whose children are
chronically late for school will be contacted by teachers and school
administration.
A Canadian Winter: The Halifax Regional School Board does not have an
official policy on wind chill/cold weather with regards to students being sent
outside for recess and lunch breaks, or whether or not students are kept
outside in the morning prior to the first bell.
However, schools are provided with information to assist them in making
decisions at individual school sites.
Generally speaking, when the temperature reaches -10 C or below we
assess the appropriateness of sending children outside. We also consider wind chill factors. Wind
chill is the cooling sensation caused by the combined effect of temperature and
wind. Environment Canada advises there
is an “increased risk” of frostbite and hypothermia with a wind chill below –
27 C. School administration consults the
Environment Canada weather website frequently and uses common sense in
determining whether or not students should be outside on a given day. We also consider the length of time students
will be outside, their activity level (heat generation), and exposure to wind
and sun (the sun does have a warming affect, even during the winter
months). Whenever possible we do like to
see our students being given the opportunity to get outside at some point
during the day to get some exercise, fresh air, and have the opportunity to
socialize with friends, rather than being confined to their classrooms for
extended periods of time. Student
safety, health, and well-being are always paramount. Parents
are encouraged to dress their children appropriately for the weather and
possible outdoor play, just as they would at home. Canadian winters are
cold. Please ensure your child is
dressed for it.
HRSB School Closures: It’s that time of year again when we experience
cooler weather and begin to think about those unwelcome winter storms that
often disrupt our daily routines, and occasionally even close schools. The
Halifax Regional School Board encompasses a widespread geographic area, so
weather conditions can vary considerably. Sometimes all schools within the
School Board are closed due to extreme weather conditions. At other times only
selected schools, or “families of schools”, are closed. Decisions on school
closures and/or bus cancellations are posted on the board’s website at www.hrsb.ca ,
on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HRSB_Official, recorded on 464-INFO (4636) and communicated to all
local radio stations. You can also
receive notice of school and bus cancellations by e-mail or text message by following the link on the front page
(left side) of the HRSB website. Announcements regarding school closures will
be made (as close to 6:00 am as possible) in the morning before school
commences. If school is cancelled after students have arrived at
school and classes have begun for the day an announcement will be made before 11:30 am.
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Possible Announcements Pertaining to Park West School
• All schools feeding into
Halifax West High School or the Halifax West FAMILY of schools is closed.
• All schools in the Halifax
Regional School Board are closed.
• School buses are not running,
but schools are open and it is at the parents’ discretion as to whether or
not to send their children to school.
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In the event of
extreme weather conditions you are encouraged to use your judgment when it
comes to your child coming to school that day. The safety and well-being of our
students is a prime concern. If a large number of our students are absent on a
given day major assessments will be rescheduled and the introduction of new
work will be minimal. You are requested to ensure your children be aware of the
arrangements associated with their dismissal when Park West School is cancelled
during the day and students must be dismissed early; especially if they are to
go to an alternative address or to wait at school to be picked up. If schools
are closed, then EXCEL (all programs) is cancelled. Students who would normally
receive early morning, lunch time, or after school care would be affected.
Also, all school functions and use of school facilities for that date are
cancelled as well. Ultimately, the building is closed. By now all parents
should have returned to their child’s teacher the completed form with
information for dismissal in the event of an early closure during the school
day. Teachers need this information so they can dismiss your child according to
your wishes. Please ensure this information is always up-to-date and that your
children are familiar with the arrangements.
Hot Homemade Soup…and more! 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); chicken burgers ($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.
Farewell: It is with regret that we
announce that Carolyn Pirri (one of our administrative assistants/secretaries)
will be retiring from her position here at Park West in the near future. Her last day of work will be Friday, January
11. Ms. Pirri is an integral and beloved
member of the Park West team. She will
be missed immensely. We wish her all the
best in her retirement and future endeavours.
Be the
Change: The Maritime Dance Academy
will be here at Park West on Tuesday,
January 15, at 1 pm, to present their 50 minute production of Be
the Change to our students in grades primary to six. Along with toe tapping upbeat musical
numbers comes the story of standing up for what you believe in, even when the right thing to do isn’t always the easy thing to do. The showcase of dance features popular music
from today’s generation that focuses on kindness, compassion, and
integrity. Dancers will guide the
audience through an “anti-bullying” themed show with music and dancing that
will make the whole audience want to get up and join in. Some of the cast members are Park West
students. This presentation is being
paid for using funds from student fees (collected at the beginning of this
year). Parents are invited to attend.
Our
Students Have a Voice: Approximately
every six weeks this year our school administration team will be conducting Junior High Student Forums. Each Forum is an opportunity for the
principal and two vice principals to meet with two student representatives from
each junior high class to discuss school issues of concern to junior high
students. Possible topics and issues to
be discussed at the forum include: how
to get students to school on time; consequences for being late; plagiarism;
code of conduct; appropriate student dress code; cell phone use at school; the
impact of suspensions and alternatives; ideas for school-based activities;
PEBS; expectations at school dances; what’s working at junior high; suggestions
for changes for improvement to our school…and other issues relevant to our
junior high students. Administrators
may consult with them on specific issues, new school policies being developed,
or new initiatives. All student views
and perspectives will be valued and respected, and may be considered by school
administration and staff when making decisions, and developing school policies
and procedures. Open, honest, and respectful
two-way conversation will be encouraged at all times during the Forums. The two student class reps will be different
for each Forum. Prior to each Forum they
are expected to seek feedback from their class peers on concerns and issue for
junior high students at Park West. After
each Forum the reps will report back to their classmates. Our next Forum will be held on January 11th.
Is Something Missing From Your Life?: Is your son or daughter missing boots, sneakers, a GAP
hoodie, a ball cap, an umbrella, a lunch bag, Tupperware, spoons, gloves,
pants………? We have a
mountain of lost & found items here at the school. Feel free to drop by to take a look for
yourself. You might be amazed by the
‘lost treasures’ you’ll find. Whatever
is left over after January 11th will
be donated to charity.
Dropping By For a Visit? For the safety and security of the students
and staff at Park West School we must insist that all parents and visitors to
our school sign in and obtain a visitor
pass at the office before proceeding through the building for any reason. Parents and visitors must only enter the
building through the main doors and
immediately report to the office.
Adults found in our building without proper identification displayed
(school visitor pass) will be questioned.
It is not always necessary for parents to accompany their children to
their classrooms. We encourage parents
to allow their children opportunities to develop and demonstrate their
independence (to find their classrooms, remove backpacks and outerwear, put on
indoor footwear).
Inside Early? Sometimes students are permitted to enter the school
building early in the morning (only after 8:10 am, but before 8:25
am) due to inclement weather or severe temperatures. On these occasions they must use the main doors and remain in the lobby area until directed to go to
their classrooms. This includes those
students whose classrooms are in the “chalets”. Parents who enter the building and wait with
their children must follow this same procedure and may not proceed through the
building without first obtaining authorization from the office.
Safe and Sound: Park West School is served by four crossing guards who work hard to help keep our students safe as
they walk to and from school. There are
three on Langbrae Drive and one on Radcliffe Drive. Please remind your children/our students to
practice safe walking and street crossing by using crosswalks under the
direction of the guards. Also, we
expect all our students to be kind and respectful to the men and women working
at our crosswalks.
Grade 9 Trip Payment Due: The
next payment for the grade 9 spring trip to Montreal is $200 and due on January 18th. Please make all payments to the office.
Dates to Remember:
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January 11
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Junior High Student Forum
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January 15
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Maritime Dance Academy performance (grades P – 6) -
you’re invited to attend with us
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1 pm
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January 16
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SAC / PTA Meetings
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5:45 pm / 7:00 pm
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January 17
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Junior High Ski Club skiing at Martock
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3:00 pm
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January 18
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Grade 9 Trip Payment Due ($200)
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January 24
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PTA Family Bingo
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6:30 – 8 pm
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January 25
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School Assembly
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Morning
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January 31
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Junior High Ski Club skiing at Martock
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3:00 pm
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HAPPY
NEW YEAR
