October 24, 2013

HAWTHORNE'S HAUNTED HOUSE

Mrs. Robinson's class is currently hard at work setting up the 2013 edition of Hawthorne's Haunted House.  Class will be touring through the "House" during the day on Thursday, October 31st.  There will also be an opportunity for parents or former students to tour through from 3-3:30pm on that same day.  This is a fundraiser for our grade 7 class and a $1-$2 donation is suggested.  It should be scarrrrry kids:)

COSTUME SAFETY FOR HALLOWEEN

Our student council will be hosting a "Halloween Spirit" day on October 31st and we are encouraging all of our staff and students to participate by wearing a costume.  Prizes will be drawn for some lucky participants.   We are looking forward to what should be a fun day.

Coming up with a creative disguise doesn't mean that safety needs to be forgotten, so here are some safety tips to keep in mind.

• PLEASE NOTE THAT TOY /  REPLICA WEAPONS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT HAWTHORNE
• October 31 can be a chilly night so make sure that costumes are loose enough to be worn over warm clothing but not so baggy or long that trick or treaters can trip over their costumes.
• Trick-or-treaters should wear sturdy walking shoes.
• Choose brightly-coloured costumes that will be clearly visible to motorists. For greater visibility, add or incorporate reflective tape into the costume.
• Make-up and face paint are better than wearing masks which can restrict breathing and/or vision. If you choose to use a mask make sure it is one that allows the child to see and breathe easily.
• Swords, knives and similar accessories should be made of soft, flexible material.
• Look for costumes, beards and wigs labelled "Flame-Resistant" -- nylon or heavyweight polyester costumes are best. Flame Resistant does not mean 'fire proof'. Avoid costumes with baggy sleeves or flowing skirts to minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources. Costumes made of flimsy materials have been found to burn more quickly when exposed to fire sources.

Think twice before changing the colour of your eyes with cosmetic contact lenses. These cosmetic lenses should be used only under the supervision of an eye-care professional. In addition, wear time should be limited to the shortest duration possible. The lenses must never be worn while asleep, and cosmetic contact lenses should not be shared with others. 

COLDER WEATHER

During the past two weeks of fog we have seen the temperature dropping steadily.  As the weather takes a turn for the worse, we are asking parents to ensure that our students are coming to school with clothing that is appropriate for the conditions.  As well,  it would be helpful if your child had a change of clothes left at the school to account for those occasions when they might get wet or muddy from outdoor play.  Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Over the last two weeks our students and staff have been engaged in some emergency planning.  We participated in the "Shakeout B.C." initiative last week and hosted our own earthquake drill.   The drill consisted of an initial "duck, cover, hold" response followed by an evacuation, building assessment, search and then rescue.  On Monday of this week, we were engaged in "code yellow" lockout drill.  Our police liaison officer,  Cst. Doolan, was on site to oversee our efforts which involved securing/locking the school and each individual classroom.  We also worked through our communication plan with staff providing updates from their classroom via an email conference.    

Both drills have left us all feeling better prepared for an emergency.  If you should have any questions or concerns with regard to our emergency planning, please contact Mr. Carruthers at the office (mcarruthers@deltasd.bc.ca).

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday,  October 25th

Professional Day

School Closed

Wednesday,  October 30th

PAC Meeting

Library  6:30pm

Thursday, October 31st

Halloween Spirit Day

Friday, November 1st

Monthly Assembly

Gymnasium 11am

Friday, Nov. 8th

Walk to School Day

Remembrance Day Assembly

Gymnasium 11am

Monday, Nov. 11th

Remembrance Day

School Closed

October 10th, 2013

TRAFFIC CIRCLE

The early reviews for our traffic circle are quite positive.  The re-located crosswalk seems to be simplifying the process for everyone and helping to maintain a steady flow of traffic.  Despite the early success, we ask that you still consider the following:

• have your child walk or wheel to school every day
• drop off your intermediate child at either the path on Grove Avenue or at the parking lot near the Hawthorne Park tennis courts
• do not leave your car unattended in the roundabout
• watch carefully for guidance from our adult and student crossing guards
• do not park in the staff parking lot between 8:30-9am

Thank you in advance for your attention to these points.  Through our collective efforts we are working to make the traffic circle as safe as possible for our students.

PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parents are reminded that they can call in tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 11th) from 9am-noon and 1- 3:45pm to book your conference(s) time.   We will be hosting our conferences on Wednesday, Oct. 23rd and Thursday, October 24th and this will result in an early dismissal on both days (2pm).

RECREATION PASSES CORRECTION

We would like to make a correction on some information that was provided in our previous blog entry.   As of last year,  Delta Council expanded the Recreation Pass Program and the municipality is now offering a free year pass for both grade 5 and grade 6 students.  They are also providing 10 free passes for grade seven students.  To obtain a pass,  families can visit a Delta Recreation Centre and present proof of birth date and residency in Delta.

WE DAY

On Friday, October 18th we will be taking twenty students from Hawthorne to participate in the annual WE Day event scheduled for Rogers Arena.  Students will be engaged with leading activists, speakers and entertainers. This year's event features: Kofi Annan,  Martin Luther King Jr. III, Hedley, Down With Webster and so much more.  WE Day is hosted by Craig and Marc Kielburger who have been inspiring young people for many years. We will soon be following up with our own WE Day initiatives at Hawthorne and do our part to change the world in a positive way.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR

Mrs. Ratzlaff will once again be hosting a book fair in the library on Oct. 23 and 24.  We are in need of volunteers to assist with this event and you can contact Mrs. Ratzlaff directly (jratzlaff@deltasd.bc.ca) if you are able to help.  Thank you in advance for your support.

FAMILY HARVEST BOXES

You are invited to visit a farm to see where food comes from, learn how to plant, harvest and prepare fresh produce.  The Earthwise society has also developed a program to support families in need.   Family members can "work" the farm in exchange for a Family Harvest Box.  This program is coordinated by The Delta Food Coalition and you can find more information at the following link:  http://earthw.primesignal.com/index.php/partnership/delta-food-coalition/.


IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, October 14
Thanksgiving Day
School Closed

Thursday, October 17
Shakeout BC Emergency Drill
10:10am

Wednesday, October 23
Parent/Teacher Conferences
2pm Dismissal

Thursday, October 24
Parent/Teacher Conferences
2pm Dismissal

Friday, October 25
Non-Instructional Day
School Closed

September 26th, 2013

OPEN HOUSE

Thank you to all of the families who joined us for last week's Open House. It was a great night for people to get re-acquainted with each other and check out some of the happenings at Hawthorne.   We had a great response to our first Scavenger Hunt with hundreds of participants.   Special congratulations to the Ranu, Kollinsky, Wiggesworth, Barton and Mountain families.  They successfully completed the challenges and have each won two front row seats to our Christmas Concerts in December.

TERRY FOX RUN

On Friday, September 13th Hawthorne participated in its annual Terry Fox Run.  Our grade seven students led us through a warm-up and then the course.   Thank you to the many parents who joined in the fun.  Special thanks to those families that supported our fundraising efforts which led to a $600 donation to the Terry Fox Foundation.

MONTHLY ASSEMBLIES

Parent are invited to join us for our Monthly Assemblies which take place on the first Friday of every month (with some exceptions).  These assemblies feature different discussion topics, student activities, video highlights and a group dance.  We hope that your schedule allows you to attend.

GRADE 5 & 6 "REC" PASSES

Grade 5 students can drop by any Delta Recreation facility and activate a one-year Grade Five Pass.  With the pass, students can skate, swim or enjoy time in the Open gym.  Accompanying youths or adults can also participate for free.   A 10 Pass Admission Card is also available for Grade 6 students.  For more information you can visit www.corp.delta.bc.ca/flyers .

POSITIVE PARENTING WORKSHOPS

Deltassist is hosting free "Positive Parenting Workshops" for Delta families with children aged 5-12.  Parents will have an opportunity to meet others, feel empowered as a parent, share stories/experiences and build on skills.  The 5 sessions will run weekly beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 8th from 6:30-8pm at 9097 120th Street in North Delta.  For more information you can contact Suzy at 604-594-8455 ext. 156.

VISITORS

Parents are reminded to check in at the office whenever they visit Hawthorne so that our office staff can provide you with a visitor's badge.  If you are bringing a lunch for your child, please drop it off on the table provided outside the office.

INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS

Please note that individual photographs will be taken on Wednesday, Oct. 9th.  Please remind your children to wear their "photo bests" on that day.  Proofs will arrive back at the school then sent home for you to peruse.  Information regarding the ordering of portrait packages will follow with the proofs.

IMPORTANT DATES

Oct. 7-11

Walk to School Week

Wednesday, Oct. 9

PHOTO DAY

Monday, Oct. 14

Thanksgiving Day

School Closed

Wednesday, October 23

Parent-Teacher Conference

Early Dismissal 2pm

Thursday, October 24

Parent-Teacher Conference

Early Dismissal 2pm

September 12, 2013

START-UP

As we approach the end of our second week,  most of our programs are now up and running. I'd like to thank our parents, students and staff for making the return to school so successful. There is always a substantial amount of positive energy to be found in September and Hawthorne is off to a great start.  We are excited about the changes designed to address the traffic concerns (increased parking, daycare pull out, crosswalk relocation) as they are already having an impact. We hope to have a path installed soon to address the uneven ground that can be found between the school and the new crosswalk.  Thank you to all of the families who have chosen to walk to school so far this year!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH DUE TO A NON-INSTRUCTIONAL DAY.

NEW STAFF

We are pleased to announce that a number of new staff members have joined our school community.  Please help us in welcoming:

Ms. Fisher, Vice-Principal / Grade 6 Teacher
Miss  Eppler, Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Cherry, Grade one Teacher
Mrs. Uppal, Grade 3 Teacher
Mrs. Quelch, Grade 3/4 Teacher
Mrs. Isopp, Supportive Learning Teacher
Mrs. Goldschmidt, Learning Assistance Teacher
Mrs. Collins, Education Assistant

TERRY FOX RUN

Parents are invited to join us for our Terry Fox Run scheduled for Friday, September 13th at 2:15pm. We will be gathering with all of our students outside to share a few words and then head out for a run on Hawthorne's fields. We will be collecting "Toonies for Terry" until Thursday, September 19th and any support would be greatly appreciated.

LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES

Many families have already received a letter advising them that a student in their child's classroom has a life-threatening allergy.  These allergies vary from student to student and it is important that all of us at Hawthorne work to ensure a safe learning environment for every child.  Aside from some food restrictions we are also asking that dogs are brought to the school with extra care.  We have students who are severely allergic to canines and it is important that pets are secured on a leash and kept well away from entrances to the school building so that  everyone feels safe. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.  

TRAFFIC REMINDER

International "Walk to School" Month is coming up in October and we are encouraging all students to walk, ride or roll to school as much as possible this year.  Walking to school has very clear health benefits, is better for the environment and creates a safer space for our school community.  We hope that you can support this initiative and continue to do so for the balance of the school year.

As students adjust to the routines and expectations of the new school year, they do not always pay attention to the safety rules when they walk to and from the school. Please take some time to discuss safety rules with your child(ren) and please drive carefully.  As you are aware, we are very concerned about the safety of our students during the peak periods of drop-off and pick-up in our school driveway.  The capacity of our driveway is not sufficient to accommodate the growing numbers of vehicles that use it for drop-off, pick-up, and visitor parking. In order to improve safety for our students and other pedestrians at school, and to increase the traffic flow in the roundabout, we are asking all drivers of vehicles including daycare, to observe the “Drop-off – Pick up” rules. These have been discussed by The Delta Police and Traffic Engineers from the Corporation of Delta. We thank you for your cooperation in this matter. We will monitor this and make the necessary changes where needed.

 DROP-OFF / PICK-UP RULES IN SCHOOL DRIVEWAY:

• The curved lane in front of the school has been designated for "drop-off and pick-up" only.  This is a FIRE LANE and there is NO PARKING ALLOWED, however, we are allowing only drop-off, pick-up and exiting.  Do not leave your vehicle unattended, including Daycare providers.
• Enter the “Drop-off – Pick- up” lane and proceed forward as far as possible to the next car ahead so that other cars can enter the lane.
• Do not leave your vehicle (NO PARKING), as this blocks others from exiting.
• Keep your place in the line up. Do not cut in front of another vehicle.
• Please do not idle your car
• When driving, please do not use your cell phone
• Follow the correct flow of traffic indicated by the arrows on the road.
• Children should use the passenger side car doors that open to the sidewalk.

Our parking lot is restricted to staff for 30 minutes before and after school. The existing parking stalls are needed for school staff as well as district staff who arrive and leave our school at different times throughout the day. If possible, please consider having your child(ren) walk to school or walk to school with them. We will continue to participate in initiatives and events that promote walking to school, teach environmental responsibility and reduce car dependency.  Please watch for an announcement, regarding our first “Walk to School” event.  

PARENT CONNECT

Again this year our newsletters and school bulletins, as well as many PAC notices, will be posted on the Hawthorne website.  You can access the website by going to http://ha.deltasd.bc.ca.  There are also many other interesting and helpful links on the site for both parents and students.

This is also our third year with the Parent Connect program so this program will be familiar to most of you.  For those who are new to the school, you will be receiving letters giving you all the information you need to begin using this program.  We have posted three items on Parent Connect which we ask you to review and update.  Please make sure to sign in to Parent Connect, make the changes and then sign off on the forms before exiting the program.  Thank you in advance for taking care of these items.

SICKNESS AT SCHOOL

 There are four important issues to consider as you try to determine if your child is too ill to attend school:

1. The protection of your child.  Their recovery could be delayed and their resistance to other illnesses reduced if they are unable to rest and recover in their home environment.
2. The ability of your child to function and learn at school.
3. The inability of the school to meet the emotional and physical needs of a sick child.
4. The protection of other children.

Please keep your child home if he/she:

• Has symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, sneezing, etc.  If these symptoms do not clear up within a reasonable time, please see your family doctor.
• Has a fever.
• Is too sick to participate in all normal school activities.
• Has a suspected or know communicable disease (i.e. strep throat, pink eye, chicken pox or any other undiagnosed rash).  Keep them home until they are no longer infectious.
• Students who have vomited at home or school should remain at home until they are symptom free(48 hours is recommended).
• If your child has exhibited symptoms of the H1N1 virus, they should be staying home for 5-7 days until they are able to return to day to day activities.

Should the school find it necessary to send your child home because of illness, please make sure you have made alternate arrangements when you are not available.  Please inform the school of these arrangements.

Extra-Curricular Band for GRADE 4-7

The Beginner Band program is for children in Grades 4 – 7 with no previous band experience.   Parents can choose to enroll their child in classes offered at Hawthorne Elementary, Holly Elementary or Ladner Elementary.  Enrollment per class must be 15 children or more.

Hawthorne Elementary: Thursdays, 3:15-4:15 p.m. beginning October 24

Ladner Elementary: Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 a.m. beginning October 23 

Holly Elementary: Thursdays, 7:30-8:30 a.m. beginning October 24

The Advanced Band program is for students in Grades 5-7 from all our local elementary schools plus home schooled children with one or more years of band experience.  These children are encouraged to continue with their musical training in Advanced Band meeting at Hawthorne Elementary after school from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. on THURSDAY’s starting October 24^th. A registration notice will be emailed to all of last year’s band students and/or distributed at the school assemblies in the middle of October.

The teachers of the program are retired high school band directors, Curt Jantzen and Margaret Behenna. They have been teaching elementary band in Ladner now for a number of years.  Mr. Jantzen and Mrs. Behenna will make a presentation to students at an assembly in mid October to demonstrate the instrument choices and explain the program. Tuition is $295. 

 For further information, please contact: 

Curt Jantzen                        cjband@telus.net            604 946 2309

Margaret Behenna            mbehenna@telus.net            604 946 7304

BACK TO SCHOOL

Hello everyone.  We hope that you have all enjoyed a tremendous summer filled with plenty of great memories.  A special welcome to those families who are new to our learning community. The upcoming school year looks to be an exciting one that will see us integrating new classroom technology (iPads), developing a sensory room, focussing on the development of basic math skills, engaging our students in social emotional learning and installing a new playground.   It should be another fulfilling year at Hawthorne and we look forward to working with our parents and students to make it the best experience possible.

 

Going "back to school" is a highly anticipated event for most of our students as they are eager to re-connect with their friends and the routines of school life. However, we realize that September's arrival can lead to increased anxiety for many children and it is important that the year begin on a positive note.  If your child suffers from school-related anxiety,  it may be helpful to have some brief discussions now in order ease them into the change in their schedule.   Perhaps have your child create a list (no matter how short:) of items that  they enjoy about school so that they can focus on some of the positives that await.  For more ideas on coping with anxiety in the home,  click here.  

FLOODING AT HAWTHORNE

As some of you may have noticed,  there has been a substantial amount of activity around Hawthorne over the month of August.  Unfortunately, much of the school was flooded due to a burst pipe.  This resulted in extensive damage to our floors and a restoration company has been on site for three weeks overseeing the work that is required.   Most of the project will be completed by early next week but it's likely that our gym floor will be out of commission until later in September.  Our start up should not be affected, however I would ask that parents refrain from visiting the school until Wednesday, Aug. 28th as the office may not be fully functioning until that time.

START UP ROUTINES
Please note the following points with regard to the opening week for the 2013-2014 school year:

1. The first Day of school is Tuesday, September 3rd from 9am-12:03pm. 
2. Kindergarten students will be working on a graduated entry as per the letter those parents should have received prior to the summer break.
3. Students will be returning to their 2012-2013 classrooms for the first day and we hope to be in our "new" classes at some point during the second day.  

4. New students report to a designated area (noted on signage in the morning) at 9am  and they will be quickly placed into classrooms with their peers.


TRAFFIC AT HAWTHORNE
When you arrive at Hawthorne you will notice some changes that we hope will have a positive impact on our traffic challenges.

- our student monitored crosswalk has been relocated to a much narrower section of the road at the entrance to our school parking lot. This should remove a number of stressors for our guards (left and right turns) and keep traffic flowing.

- we have also created more parking spaces by extending our parking lot.  Parents are reminded that parking lot access is restricted to staff from 8:30am-9am

- our elevated parking area for Daycare providers remains intact and the dividers have been painted.  We will be continuing with our trial run of this feature during the fall and if it is deemed successful at alleviating traffic concerns,  we will look to construct a permanent system that is more aesthetically pleasing.

- as usual, we encourage our students to walk, run or ride.